Title: The World through the Eyes of a Basket Case
Author: TWBasketcase
A/N: Thank you to Basket Case89, Katydid7186, Faith Maguire, Santafelover, Ailcia, Jenifer, UnicornPammy, Olympias, TBFF Nat, Lazaefair, Unsocial Beautifly, Billy Crazy and DarkoBender…you have been to Sarnia, eh? I feel bad for you LOL. No really this place blows but the soccer fields are nice; I read your profile and it says you are in grade ten…my little sister is in grade ten and she plays for the travel team (The Sarnia Spirit) maybe you guys have played against each other? That would be strange, yet very likely :)
Anyways for the rest of ya's, thanks for your reviews and I hope you all like this chapter.

Chapter 33 – Under Pressure

I sat in front of my locker glumly; it was Monday morning once again and this past week really has not been my favorite as of late. It has been about a week since me and Andy had fought and things were still awfully tense between the two of us. He had stayed the night when we had the falling out but he didn't sleep; he sat robotically at the end of my bed just staring at the wall. He didn't look particularly hurt or even angry; he just looked lost. I hard a hard time sleeping knowing that he was just staring and it kinda worried me. He had gone home later that afternoon but never really told me much of what happened just, 'nothing' or, 'it doesn't matter' or, best of all 'don't worry about it.' He was driving me up the wall with the silent treatment but I think he knows he did something wrong by lashing out on me; I think he also realizes that he is putting our relationship in hot water he just doesn't know what to do about it. We still plan on going to the prom – which is this weekend – but as of right now things are mostly strained.

As for the rest of the week; well it seems as though Michelle is trailing in her race for the Prom Queen title against Ashley – whom of course has been very vocal and annoying about it – to the point of making Michelle so frustrated I've actually caught her smoking out back with Brian and John quite a few times.

And the strangest thing about the last week or so is Claire and John; she seems more depressed than usual about the whole prom situation and is not being very shy about it. While John still feels guilty for making her upset that he thought maybe removing himself from the picture altogether would be the best thing; so he has been eating lunch with his old group of buddies – much to the dismay of Claire who, like usual, is taking it the wrong way.

So all in all the last week or so has been totally shit for the Breakfast Club.

So here I am on Monday morning sitting in front of my locker waiting for home room in silence. The group hasn't been very social as of late and for that I am happy; with everyone feeling down about something or other it's like we are just one big clan of sulkers moping around like our dogs have been run over. Of course if my dog had gotten run over I would probably be feeling ten times worse but that is beside the point.

The bell sounded and I stood up slowly to gather the books from my locker. I observed the inside of my locker door as I took my time getting to class; I had a few drawings pinned up on the door as well as a couple of dream catchers that I made…I don't exactly know why I decided to put them in my locker instead of my bedroom; I just thought they looked nice in there. I sighed quietly and grabbed my bag, locked my locker and made my way down the west hallway to get to art class. It wasn't that I wasn't looking forward to art…it was the only class I really had that I had the time to think things out and get them out in a productive way.

I turned left into the south wing of the school and took a staircase down to the main level of the school; there was still a lot of stragglers rushing to class…a lot of them were rebels and jocks. I shook my head and exited the stairwell into the hallway and the first thing I saw when I turned the corner was Andy standing sad and defeated at his locker. I swallowed hard and approached him.

"Hey," I said softly but still causing him to jump; he had his face in his locker and seemed as if he wasn't paying any attention as to what was going on around him.

He gave me a very small smile and looked down at his feet, "Hey."

I pursed my lips together, "What's going on?"

He sighed and raked his fingers through his hair sloppily, "Nothing really…just don't wanna be here."

I nodded in stood in awkward silence for a few moments before speaking up again, "Okay…well I guess I'll see you later then."

I turned on my heel to walk away trying to push away the thoughts of our pathetic conversations as of late. He has been silent and distant while I just can't come up with the patience to push them any further. I only got about ten feet away before I heard him call my name. I turned to face him and raised my eyebrows expectantly, "Yeah?"

His eyes searched my face momentarily and he just shrugged slightly, "Hang in there, okay?"

I opened my mouth to reply but thought against it; he grabbed his duffel bag from his locker and just walked ever so slowly towards the gym. I sighed and adjusted my bag higher on to my shoulder.

"Uh oh…sounds like there's trouble in paradise."

I sighed and looked over my shoulder, "Fuck off Ashley."

She laughed, "You know I never once seen that look directed towards me from him…I wonder what you're doing wrong?"

I turned my body so I was completely facing her, "What business is it of yours? Don't you have somewhere else to be or someone else to annoy?"

She scoffed, "You would like to think that I am capable of annoying people…you are just jealous, Reynolds." She placed her hands lightly on her hips and shrugged her blonde hair behind her shoulder.

I raised my eyebrows, "Yes, you got me there…" I drawled rolling my eyes.

She smiled, "I always seem to be getting to you…and that gives me a lot of satisfaction."

I shook my head and pushed past, "Just stay the hell away from me."

XXXXXXX

I stood silently in front of the glass door, hesitant before turning the knob to enter; it's a place I have been to so many times before in the last three years of my life. Strangely enough I get a kick out of coming here most of the time yet today I feel almost as if I should be here and I should talk. Is this what normal people feel like standing outside a door like this?

I raised my arm slowly and knocked softly on the glass; the man behind the door pushed his glasses further up his nose and looked at me. He gave me a look of half annoyance and half dread and suddenly I felt bad; all the other times I had come here I had given him a hard time and made a mockery of him. Suddenly all the teenage rebellion I had built up inside of me left and I felt very small and alone. He motioned for me to come in and I did so; slowly and surely.

"Hello Allison," Mr. Hashimoto said dully, "What can I do for you today?"

I blew my bangs out of my face and stared at my shoes, "I really didn't want to come here today and sit with you but…"

He raised his eyebrows expectantly, "…but your teachers sent you down without your consent in their plot to brainwash you?"

I rolled my eyes, "No I came down here myself."

His mouth formed the shape of an 'o' and he nodded. He pulled out a small manila folder and set it on his desk, "Okay…what can I do for you?"

I slouched a little deeper into my seat and raked my fingers through my hair, "I'm lost," He cocked an eyebrow and I smirked, "I mean – all the other times I have been in here was just because someone else thought that I was some weirdo loner girl that needed help. Then I got these great friends that told me I didn't need to talk to a shrink that I was normal so I took it upon myself to take advantage of your job and your availability…I'm sorry for that."

His eyes widened and for a second I truly thought he was gonna drop dead from shock or something; he shook his head out of the stupor and pushed his glasses up his nose once again, "Well Allison I certainly forgive you…but surely you didn't come down here to apologize and then leave."

I nodded, "True…I actually came down here because I needed someone to talk to."

"Well that is why I am here," He opened up the folder in front of him and took the cap off of his pen; feverishly writing something down on a new, blank piece of paper, "Why don't you start from the beginning…"

I hesitated wondering where exactly the beginning was, "I guess it all started with John and Claire breaking up."

He cocked an eyebrow, "And John and Claire are friends of yours?"

I nodded, "Yeah John Bender…he comes to my house all the time and hangs out with me, and Claire Standish is one of my only girl friends…she takes me shopping all the time."

"Claire Standish and John Bender were dating?" He asked a little incredulously, "Okay…and how did that trouble you?"

I sighed, "Yeah they were dating…for a little while, you know? Then there was some sort of misunderstanding and they broke up and have been at each other's throats ever since…kinda starting fights at lunch time and both of them came to me to talk. Claire took me shopping and John and I just talked for a long while. I know they still care about each other they are just very stubborn, you know?"

He nodded his head, "I think so…you can continue."

"Well now prom is coming around and Claire has no one to go with and John is acting very distant…he only really hangs out with me after school now. It isn't none of our business but they are both kinda making it our business…it's just kinda adding on to all the rest of the stress that I am having."

"I understand. Friends going through a crisis surely could add to your stress. You are just worrying about them and you want them both to be happy, right?"

I nodded and he smiled, "Well I can't really tell you not to worry about them because they are your friends. You have to remember though that when there are hearts on the line the best medicine is time. They will come around eventually…you just have to wait it out."

I rolled my eyes, "Or force it."

He gave me a disapproving look, "You can't force love Allison."

I sighed, "I know but they are just so irritating!

He let out a small chuckle, "Yes but all couples can be irritating to others."

I nodded, "Yeah I guess you are right. I get kinda irritated with Brian and Michelle too."

He nodded and wrote something else down, "Okay and what is the story with Brian and Michelle?"

I hesitated and thought my words over carefully, "There isn't really anything about them that bothers me it more or less seems as if they get an easier break than everyone else. Their parents like each other, they don't really seem to fight…just squabble. All the rest of us have so many barricades and road blocks a lot of the time we are asking each other if it's worth it. Brian and Michelle don't have to do that."

He looked at me seriously and set his glasses down in front of him, "Is it worth it?"

"Huh?"

"Is it worth going through all the roadblocks and disagreements and barricades?"

I hesitated, "Yeah I guess it is. I wouldn't trade my friends for the world no matter how much they banter and bicker."

He smiled, "Well there is a start."

"A start to what?"

He folded his hands together, "A start to getting over all your stress. You have to remember Allison that everything your friends do will affect your life but it has even more of an effect on theirs. You have to be there for them and that is what's important; no matter how much it stresses you out just remind yourself that your friendship is worth it and it will help the process along much easier."

I smiled, "Yeah I guess so."

"Now was there anything else you needed to talk about?"

I smirked, "Mister that was just the start!"

He chuckled, "Okay well why don't you tell me what else is bothering you."

"Andy…Andrew Clark."

He cocked an eyebrow, "Is he bullying you? Pulling pranks?"

I sighed, "No he is my boyfriend."

He raised his eyebrows and put his glasses back on, "You are seeing Andrew Clark – the wrestler Andrew Clark?"

I rolled my eyes, "Yeah – hard to believe I am dating the golden boy, huh?"

He sighed, "No it's not that…I just wasn't expecting that answer. What is it that is bothering you about Andrew?"

"He is just having a tough time at home. His father doesn't like me at all and is always yelling at him about wrestling and training very hard. Andy has a bad knee and he is sensitive…" He raised his eyebrows at that and I rolled my eyes, "Don't tell him I told you that but he is. His dad is very hard on him and the other night we went to his house and he got in a very big argument with his father…I was scared it was going to escalate but thankfully it didn't. But ever since that night we have been very distant and we have been lashing out on each other…I don't know what's going on and its putting a big strain on everything I do. He is constantly on my mind and I am so worried about him."

He nodded and looked at me with softness in his eyes, "You and Andrew are serious?"

"Yes."

"And you see yourself having him in your future?"

I shrugged, "Sure."

"Then be patient for him…he is going through a troubled time in his life and you need to let him know that you are there and ready to wait for him as long as it takes."

I paused; a little unsure at the moment, "You think that is the right thing to do? I mean…he is leaving for Canada at the end of summer to go away to school…I don't really have all that long to wait."

"Like I said he is going through a tough time in his life and he needs someone on his side. He'll come around."

"I hope so."

He closed the folder in front of him, "We're running out of time…but was there anything else."

I shrugged, "Just work, school, prom, friends, a clan of popular princesses, moving out, and my dad marrying a floozy."

He laughed, "Well you can come back and speak with me whenever you feel the need. Just remember though before you go…all of your friends sound like they need some support at the moment so just try and be patient…it will be worth it in the end."

I nodded my head and stood up and mumbled a thanks to my usually moody guidance councilor. It felt strange that I was able to talk to him so easily when usually it is just random acts of outbursts between the two of us. Although at the same time I felt comfortable with him; almost as if amongst all the strange meetings we had in the past left the door open for some sort of comfort knowing that we really couldn't get any weirder than we already were. The only problem with that conversation is that I realized I need to be supportive and there for my friends…but who is going to be there for me besides some guidance councilor?

I sighed and made my way out the door and towards the cafeteria. Second period almost always seemed to be the class to miss for some reason; which meant lunch is just around the corner. I walked into the already filling lunchroom and noticed everyone sitting at their tables. John was two tables down from the rest of the Breakfast Club sitting with some of his friends while Andy, Claire, Brian and Michelle were all sitting at our regular table looking glum as usual.

I turned towards the vending machines and waited patiently behind a younger kid – probably a freshman – as he decided what kind of pop he wanted. I dug around in my pocket for some coins and was met with a dollar bill slid down my shoulder.

"Need some coin, girly?"

I turned around with a smile on my face, "Hey John…you can keep your money."

He shrugged, "Nah its okay…I got lots, and plus I worked for it and if I wanna give it to ya then I will."

I smiled and stepped towards the machine as the younger boy moved along, "What have you been up to lately?"

He shrugged, "Just workin', been hanging around with some old buddies."

I nodded, "Eat lunch with me."

He gave me a stern look, "No."

"Please? They are all so gloomy…just do it?"

"Fine but one person pisses me off then I'm leaving."

I smiled and turned to walk with him towards the rest of our friends; they looked up momentarily as we approached the table and then went back to their meals. I looked at John and he just shrugged so I took a seat between Claire and Brian.

"Hey!" Brian greeted; seemingly the only one desperate for a somewhat nice conversation.

"Hey yourself," I replied with a smile, "How you doing today?"

"Fine…we had a physics club meeting today and we decided on a location for our end of the year banquet and food and stuff. I'm really looking forward to it this year because the theme is space."

I smiled at him, "That's nice…what do you do at your banquet?"

He beamed, "Well we have a dinner and a few speakers and then afterwards we clear the tables and chairs to the sides of the hall and we have a dance. Sometimes I will dance to the faster songs but I really don't like dancing to the slower ones…a lot of time my mom will insist I have one dance with both her and my sister; it's kinda embarrassing but I don't wanna hurt her feelings, you know?"

I nodded and pulled out my lunch, "Does your family like going?"

He nodded, "Yeah my father is pretty proud and is looking forward to it this year because I am vice president and I get to do a speech but I am pretty nervous about speaking in front of a crowd so he is going to help me with it."

Bender smirked, "I hope so...you and speaking don't really mesh well together."

Brian snorted and took a bite of his PB&J sandwich, "Maybe you should try speaking at a physics club banquet John."

"What to a bunch of science dorks about rocket ships and the moon? No thanks, Brainiac."

Brian laughed good naturedly and looked at Claire, "So how is your day going so far today?"

She shrugged and went back to her fettuccini Alfredo; Brian cocked an eyebrow and looked at Andy, "What about you?"

Andy glared at him and went back to eating. Brian rolled his eyes and looked at me; all I could do in return is shrug. He set down his sandwich and wiped his face, "You know all you guys should just cheer up…all you have been doing for the last week is moping; school's almost over…actually it is over in two weeks and then you guys have nothing to worry about. You are bringing everyone else down you know."

Claire and Andy shot their heads up simultaneously, "Why don't you mind your own business!"

Brian – surprisingly – glared back, "You know what maybe I will…because I don't need to sit around with you guys if all you are gonna do is piss and moan! Fuck you guys…I see Larry, Tom, and Ted over there anyways," Andy's head shot up and Brian put his hands on his hips, "Maybe I will just go and sit with them."

He packed up his lunch and stepped out of the bench; I looked at the others who didn't even really seem to care. John just watched Brian walk away and scowled, "What the hell did you hurt the dork's feelings for, Sporto?"

Andy glared at John, "I wasn't trying to hurt his feelings I just got a lot going on right now and I don't wanna be lectured on how and how not to act."

"So you act like a total prick who should be told how not to act…that's rich."

Andy shook his head, "Fuck off Bender."

John raised his eyebrows, "No problem," and with that – he too – was on his way over to another table. I sighed heavily and watched as Claire's eyes darkened at John's retreating form. She let out an over dramatic sigh and packed her lunch up. This is getting so irritating that think I may go back to just eating out on the bleachers alone!

I looked from Claire, to Michelle, to Andy and they all just had their heads down, "You know what guys?" When I didn't get a response I just continued, "I think I'll go eat with Brian and his friends." I got up and left the table; keeping my back turned to the narrowed eyes of my friends. I remember Hashimoto's words so clearly in my mind:

All of your friends sound like they need some support at the moment so just try and be patient…it will be worth it in the end.

With everything that's going on right now in my life I would just love to have one of those people – doesn't matter which one – to sit down and listen to me for awhile. I'm hurt and I'm confused yet all they want is comfort for themselves. I need it too – but on the other hand does that make me as selfish as them?

Will it really be worth it in the end?

TBC