Title: The World through the Eyes of a Basket Case
Author: TWBasketcase
A/N: Thanks for all the great reviews; I'm glad you guys enjoyed some angst. So anyways this chapter is only going to have three characters in it…one being Allison of course, and the others being Brian and Bender (since their presence has been a little non existent as of late); so here is chapter 34 I hope you all enjoy!

Chapter 34 – Something to Think About

I approached Brian's locker at the end of the school day; he had been angry all day about what transpired at lunch time so I told him that I would walk home with him and hang out after school was over. He had also in turn introduced me to some of his friends; Ted being a very funny and interesting guy – not very brainy just a little dorky. Tom was very quiet and shy and last but least I met Larry – the infamous Larry Lester; he seemed to be a very high spirited person and a lot more carefree than I imagined him to be. Of course I kinda felt bad sitting near him knowing full well what Andy did but I am sure the last thing the poor kid wanted was pity so I didn't say anything about it. Brian seemed very happy and relaxed hanging out with his friends and in turn it lifted my mood away from that of what the Breakfast Club had created.

He looked up from his locker and gave me a wide grin and a silly wave; I in turn just gave him a nod and continued my approach until I stood next to him.

"Hey Ally," He started.

I smiled, "Hi Brian."

"I'm glad that you decided you wanted to hang out today; I think it has been awhile since we hung out and had some good fun, don't you?"

"Yeah I do; but I also didn't have to work and I really didn't wanna sit at home with my dad and Pam."

He closed his locker door and swung his back pack over one shoulder; he gave me an understanding smile and we turned towards the back entrance of the school, "How are things going with them anyways?"

I shrugged, "Not too good; her kids are always there and half the time I have to sleep out on the couch so they can take my bed. My dad is off doing god knows what all the time and I always feel like I am in the way…I don't know, I don't mean to whine about it or anything but frankly I can't wait until I can get away from it."

He pushed open the door and held it for me, "That's too bad…I was kinda thinking maybe with more kids and a lady things would be looking up for you."

"Yeah well I was kinda hoping so myself."

We stepped out on the football field and he stopped to look around, "Remember the last time we were walking together out here?"

I nodded and frowned, "Yeah how can I forget."

Brian subconsciously rubbed his arm with a grimace on his face, "I still find it hard to believe that those were Andy and Claire's friends."

I nodded, "yeah me too. But when I remember back to the detention…you know the beginning of it…I can see it."

"Yeah the whole, 'you could disappear forever and it wouldn't even make a difference' speech."

I frowned, "That really hurt me when he said that."

He nodded and folded his arms over his chest, "Yeah me too. But they changed…he's not like that anymore."

We continued walking the rest of the length of the field. I stopped at a large oak tree and sat at the base; the weather was getting very nice…of course it was the last week of May so it was a given. Brian sat down across from me and rested his back pack beside him. He looked a lot happier compared to earlier in the day and for that I was grateful.

"Brian?"

He looked up at me expectantly, "Yeah?"

"You know how you brought the flair gun to school…" he looked at me with furrowed brows; obviously wondering where I was going with this, "Do you ever still think about it?"

He folded his hands in his lap and frowned, "Not really…but sorta. My mom still gives me such a hard time with my grades and stuff that she really stresses me out you know? But I also wonder sometimes what it woulda been like if I had done it. I wouldn't have ever met you guys…or Michelle. I never really would have got to do or see some of the things I have done in the past couple of months."

I nodded, "Yeah I get what you mean. Just everything is starting to get to me now a days and I keep wondering if there is anyway to get away from it all."

"Well bringing a flair gun to school definitely won't help you," came a voice from behind us. I turned around to see John standing with his blue jean jacket tied around his waist and a cigarette dangling from his lips. I gave him a grin and he came to sit down next to us.

"What are you guys doing sitting out here? Don't you have anything better to do?"

I shrugged, "No just felt like hanging out that's all."

He narrowed his eyes, "So what the hell are you doing asking Brainiac about his flair gun?"

Brian jumped in, "She wasn't asking because it really meant anything it was just a question, I wasn't gonna…"

Bender held up a hand and contorted his face in annoyance, "Calm down Bry, fuck! I was just asking the woman a damn question!"

I folded my arms and I shrugged, "Just wondering if he was okay, that's all."

Brian nodded, "I am okay."

John nodded approvingly and took a long drag off his cigarette, "So what has you guys moping around?"

I shrugged, "Andy, Claire, and Michelle are all annoyingly depressed and it's starting to rub off."

Bender cocked an eyebrow, "What the hell is up their asses?"

Brian sighed, "Well Michelle has been at it with Ashley non stop."

"And Andy is having problems with his dad…he just totally lashed out on him in front of me and we haven't been speaking much since."

John nodded, "And Claire?" he asked trying to sound casual.

Brian and I exchanged a glance and he spoke up, "Just worried about the prom is all."

John rolled his eyes, "Yep, leave it up to her."

I rolled my eyes and smirked, "Nice try John, save the act."

He regarded me with an intense look, "Ain't no act here Allison; I could care less."

Brian sat up a bit straighter, "Why don't we change the subject?"

John shrugged nonchalantly and I looked at Brian, "Okay whatever."

"Fuck changing the subject let's go do something," John intercepted.

Brian raised his eyebrows, "What do you want to do?"

"We can go chill out at the park…we just gotta go make a stop at my house."

Brian looked from John to me with uncertainty, "What exactly do you have in mind Bender? You gotta remember that it is a school night."

John smirked, "Has that ever stopped me before?"

XXXXX

Brian and I waited on Bender's front porch as he went inside and fished out whatever it was that he was looking for. Brian was shifting his weight back and forth from foot to foot and it was irritating me to no end.

"Will you stop that?"

He gave me a sheepish grin, "Sorry…I'm just a little nervous about going too late on a school night; my mom will serve me my head on a platter."

I smiled amusedly, "Don't worry we will get you home before dark."

He opened his mouth to reply but was cut off with Bender opening up the door and stepping out on the old rickety porch, "You two ready to go?"

"Yes," I cut Brian off before he could protest further.

Bender nodded his head in approval and made his way down the steps and into the street. Brian glared at me and then followed suit. I chuckled and return and skipped down the steps one by one. We headed in the direction of the park that me and John had occupied times before and in about four minutes we were there. It isn't a very large park but it had a small play set, a few benches, a public washroom facility, and a public pool. Bender found us a spot to sit on a bench underneath a small hill. He slipped a black back pack off of shoulders and set it down between his legs, motioning for us to sit down.

"This is a nice little setting, John. I mean I'm not used to a lot of places down on this end of town and all but this is pretty quiet and secluded and all," Brian started; trying to initiate conversation.

John rolled his eyes and lit up a cigarette, "That's the point dork."

Brian just nodded in return, "So what did you plan on doing?"

John unzipped his back pack and exhaled smoke, "Well I don't know about you guys but I need to forget about all this drama queen bullshit going on." He pulled a glass bottle out of his bag and quickly unscrewed the cap.

"Alcohol?" Brian asked nervously.

I snorted, "You wanna get sloshed?"

He looked at me with raised eyebrows, "its vodka."

I snorted and shrugged, "Sure why not…give myself a break for awhile; at this point I don't even give a shit anymore."

Brian gulped, "I don't know if I'm willing to do this John; I mean we are under age, in public…and school is in the morning!"

John let out an irritated sigh, "If you don't wanna then don't I don't fucking care."

Brian nodded, "Okay well I'll just sit back and accompany you two…make sure you don't do anything dumb."

Bender just stared at him coolly, "sure Bry…you can be DD…now will you stop your bitchin'?"

Brian nodded quickly and turned back to face me; I just looked at John expectantly and he pulled out a two-liter bottle of Pepsi, "Chasers," he stated simply. I nodded my head and watched as he tipped the bottle back and took a swig; his face contorted slightly and he grabbed a gulp of the soda. He smacked his lips together and shook his head, "That shit burns."

I chuckled and took the bottle from him; it wasn't often that I drank…as a matter of fact I have only really done it a couple of times at home after my mother left. She had a whole cabinet of booze and being the ever-attentive parents they are they never noticed. When Andy had asked me what my choice of drink was I wasn't lying; I liked vodka the best.

I tipped the bottle back and squeezed my eyes shut as the liquid burned down my throat; I took such a long drink straight from the bottle it probably equaled out to about three or four shots. I brought the bottle away from my mouth already feeling quite light headed. Bender offered me the Pepsi but I shook my head. He gave me an amused grin and set it down on the bench beside him. I gave him back the bottle and he looked down at it, "That felt good."

I nodded my head in agreement, "No shit…haven't done that in awhile."

He nodded, "No me neither; I try and stay away from the drink but damn…sometimes it just calls out."

Brian looked at us both worriedly, "Are you sure this is a good idea guys? I mean I know you are both stressing and stuff but is it really smart to take your frustrations out on a bottle?"

Bender shrugged, "Fuck it," and with the he took another gulp of the liquid and closed his eyes with comfortable ease, "I just don't fucking care no more."

Brian just blinked at him blankly and turned back to face me as I once again took another swig from the bottle. Each drink was less and less tough to keep down and by the time the 26 ounce bottle was three quarters empty I really started to feel the effects. Just by looking at John's glazed over eyes I could tell he was starting to feel it too; sad thing is the Pepsi bottle wasn't even half way done and by now we were just tipping the bottle right back taking it all straight.

John stood up slowly and almost collapsed under his own weight, "Oh shit…" he mumbled. Brian stood up quickly to help steady him but Bender pulled his arm back quickly, "I'm fine!"

I laughed a little and then lay back on the now vacant bench, "You know the sky looks a lot nicer tonight than it usually does."

Bender looked at me with wide eyes for a moment until he burst out into a fit of laughter, "Fuck da sky dude, I'm feelin' good!"

I looked at him in wonder for a moment, "That's the first time I've heard you really laugh in weeks…"

He put his hands on his hips, "Fuck I wonder why…people are always hasslin' me and stuff."

I nodded and reached for the bottle again; of the quarter of it that was left I drank half of it…until John grabbed it from my hands and polished it off. He looked at me unsteadily for a moment, "I sure do hope my old man doesn't find out I stole it," he said with a slur.

"I wanna go on the swings," I thought out loud. Brian looked at me with raised eyebrows and then held out a hand to help me up from the bench. I gave him a goofy grin and accepted it gratefully. He pulled me up with a little ease and steadied me on to my feet, "I sure do feel a lot more drunker once I stand up…"

Bender laughed, "Fuckin' rights."

I laughed and stumbled my way towards the play equipment; I could hear Brian and John following…I don't think that it was John's loud singing that gave him away. I reached the swing set and plopped myself down on the rubber seat; the chains were old and rusty and the paint on the side poles was chipping away horribly. I pulled my old runners off of my feet and began to dig my toes through the sand, "Will somebody push me pl-ease?"

Brian trudged grudgingly towards me and gently pushed me forwards; Bender on his part started climbing the play equipment and pulled out his switchblade. I watched him carefully as he began scratching it against the orange paint. I laughed out loud when I saw him stand up triumphantly and study his work.

"Brian push me higher…"

I heard him sigh, "I don't want you to fall off."

I rolled my eyes, "Fine then," and with that I swung my legs and jumped off the swing and landed – almost – solidly in the sand. I looked behind me and saw Bender approaching me; he parked his ass awkwardly next to mine in the sand, "I feel better now," he slurred.

I looked at him with a grin, "Whatdya do?"

He smiled, "I put some dirty words on there." He started laughing quietly at Brian's scolding reaction, "Young kids play here, John."

John cocked an eyebrow, "Yeah and the young kids that play here are from my neighborhood and they'll all turn out like me anyways."

Brian rolled his eyes, "Don't say that."

John narrowed his eyes and swayed, "What the hell do you know anyways? You didn't even wanna have fun with us."

Brian sighed, "No I didn't wanna drown in self pity, thank you."

I furrowed my eyebrows, "Who says anything about self pity, huh? There's too much shit going on right now…I wanna have fun…my own boyfriend doesn't even like me no more."

John nodded, "No shit…at least you still have a boyfriend…I can't even keep a chick."

I scoffed, "What the hell, eh? I mean you drop everythin' for 'em and all they can do is fuck with your head! I mean…I love him to pieces and he doesn't even like to say hello to me anymore."

Bender frowned, "Yeah well take a look at Claire…alls I try to do is be nice and protect her and she just gets mad…I fucked up bad a lot…but jeez she doesn't hafta be such a bitch about it."

I scoffed, "What are you talking about? She still loves you…"

"Allison!" Brian screeched; jabbing me in the ribs with his elbow, "Keep your mouth shut."

I looked at him, "Sorry!" I burst out into laughter.

Bender furrowed his brows, "Dude you don't hafta be mean…I know that she don't love me so don't tell me that."

I looked at him and threw my arms around his neck, "I wouldn't be mean to you Johnny you're my bestest friend."

He patted my back hard and pulled away, "Thanks I know that you have good intentions."

I nodded my head in agreement, "Damn straight."

He laughed out loud, "Who says we go break into the pool?"

"Yeah!" I chimed in.

Brian stood up with his hands on his hips, "No way am I letting you guys go swimming! You could get seriously injured!"

"But Br-ian," I whined, "It's so nice outside!"

He sighed, "No way."

Bender lay down on his back, "Here I am drunk as a skunk and the neo-maxi-somthin'-dweebie is pushing me around…what does this world come to?"

I laughed out loud, "Way to talk!"

"Oh my god," Brian muttered, "Guys it is starting to get dark…maybe we should head home."

I looked him in the eye as best I can, "I don't wanna go home…I don't ever wanna go home."

"Me either," Bender agreed, "There ain't nothing there but a bunch of assholes."

"I know," I agreed louder than I meant to, "I wish I woulda just ran away when I had the chance so I wouldn't havta deal with everyone's bullshit!"

Bender looked at me; his eyes were completely unfocused and it made me laugh out loud, "We SHOULD just run away and tell everyone to fuck off. I hate 'em all anyways."

I nodded my head, "Me too."

Brian stood up, "You know what guys? I'm pretty sick of listening to you guys bitch about everything…stop feeling so damn sorry for yourselves! And that was real nice of you to say you hate everyone when we care so much about you! You guys are real fucking selfish and I am totally disappointed in you guys! You wanna drown yourself in your own damn sorrow go right the fuck ahead…you can do it without me!" And with that he stood up and marched away.

I looked at Bender who looked like he was ready to fall down, "I think I am ready to throw up now."

TBC