Title: The World through the Eyes of a Basket Case
Author: TWBasketcase

Chapter 35 – Consequences

"Will you please get your freakin' foot out of my face?"

He groaned, "Will you please stop fuckin' yellin'? You make me wanna gauge my ear drums out."

I groaned and turned over on the floor; the clock read 4:48 am and I felt so sick that I could not get to sleep. Better yet, we had gotten home so late that my bedroom was out of bounds courtesy of Pamela's wonderful kids Mark and Jacob stealing my bed. So John and I crashed out in the living room on the floor – sick, miserable, and soaking wet. Did I mention we ended up breaking into the pool after all – clothing and all?

I looked over at him as he tried to stand up, "Where are you going?"

He looked at me with blood shot eyes, "To blow chunks…hopefully my intestines fall out too so I can just die."

I tried to laugh but just groaned and grabbed my forehead; the night was fun while it lasted but at the same time we were as sick as dogs and I felt very bad for the way we treated Brian. He just wanted to hang out and have fun but he ended up baby-sitting a couple of jerky drunks and getting his feelings hurt…you know you're low when you hurt Brian.

I rolled over on the floor and settled my hands under my cheek; I was just about to fall back into a sleep when I was – rudely – interrupted by the opening and closing of cupboards. I grabbed my head and squinted my eyes, "What the hell are you doing?"

John appeared in the doorway, "I need some fuckin' Advil!"

"Fuck off! I don't have any! Now lay down before I strangle you!"

He cocked an eyebrow, "Will you?"

I let out a frustrated sigh and turned my back to him, "Asshole," I muttered.

"I heard you, basket case."

I turned around and threw my shoe at him; which unfortunately landed about a foot away. He glared at me, "You really aren't a morning person."

"Eat me."

"No thanks…don't like fish."

I rolled my eyes, "yeah that's right I forgot...just cherries."

He fell lazily back onto the floor a few feet away from me, "I hate you Allison."

"Good night John."

He mumbled a string of curse words under his breath as he lay on his back staring at the ceiling; I'll tell ya…the two of us cranky together was not a force to be reckoned with. It had been going on like this all night; passing out, waking up to puke, arguing, puking again, and passing out. I will never drink with him ever again.

When I opened my eyes again it was daylight; I never thought I could hate the sun as much as I do right now. The entire room was painted in sunlight and for a second I considered mass homicide.

"Ally-son wake up now!" Came the shrill voice of Satan's spawn itself; I opened one eye slightly and saw Jacob and Mark tying knots in Bender's hair as he slept.

"You know if he catches you doing that he will probably suffocate you…" I mumbled groggily. They looked at me with disgusting smirks, "We don't care he is a big fart head anyways."

I rolled my eyes and rolled over onto my stomach, "Tell me something I don't know."

They laughed loudly and ran around the room chucking shit at him until Jacob – being the ever clever one he is – ran solidly into Bender's side and tripped over him; causing the fart head himself to groan loudly in pain.

"You little shit!"

Both little boys stopped running and smiled, "You said the S-H-I-T word!" They said in a sing song voice in unison.

"Yeah and I'll kick it right outta ya if you don't get your freaky midget asses away from me," He sat up awkwardly so he could see them clearly and tried to sound intimidating; but failed miserably due to the sleep and grogginess in his voice.

"You're a freaky midget ass!" Mark yelled in return while Jacob – once again being the ever clever one he is – threw a building block…hitting Bender square in the forehead knocking him back slightly. He shot a hand up to his head and glared at the kid.

"Jacob!" I screamed loudly – a little too loudly in my hung over state than I would have liked to.

"What!" He screamed back just at an even higher volume.

"DON'T YELL!" Me and John complained in unison; wincing at the throbbing of our heads. Jacob and Mark ran into the kitchen giggling wildly. I glanced at John who had one big knot tied on the top of his head with three others around the side. He looked like some junkie rock groupie and I burst into a fit of laughter.

He looked at me, obviously annoyed, "What the hell is your problem?"

I just bit back my laughter and sat up, "I need to have a shower."

John sighed aggravated, "Do I have any clothes here?" I looked at him and shrugged, "I don't know go check my room…if they're there they'll be on the floor somewhere." He nodded lazily and sat up as I made my way into the bathroom. I locked the door behind me and took a look at myself in the mirror.

I looked like dog shit.

I groaned and peeled off my still damp shirt and pants; I turned on the water as hot as I could get it comfortably and stepped into the tub. I could still smell alcohol lingering on me so I stuck my toothbrush into my mouth while I lathered the rest of my body.

I rinsed off and hurriedly stepped out of the tub before the heat made me too lightheaded. I quickly grabbed a robe and raced off to my bedroom. I slammed the door behind me and quickly pulled on a black sweater and some worn in jeans. The noise from outside my room was getting louder and I was about five seconds away from storming out of my room and killing those stupid brats. I mean they can be good kids sometimes but for the most part they are on my last nerve.

I walked briskly out to the hallway and saw Pam exiting my father's room. I gave her a nod of recognition and she smiled, "Late night last night?"

I rolled my eyes, "I guess you could say that."

"I heard you getting sick last night…you're not pregnant are you?"

I widened my eyes and growled, "No I am not pregnant, Pamela! I was wasted!"

She laughed, "Oh silly me! You and Andrew would make such cute babies though!"

I clenched my fists and snarled, "I am seventeen! I am not having babies until I'm like fifty!"

She giggled and shook her head, "You'll change your mind someday."

I groaned and continued down the hall where I found John laying on the couch with his arm over his face; he had managed to find an over sized AC/DC shirt of mine but still had on his pants from last night. I shook my head and sat back on the old brown recliner.

I tried as best I could to tune out the noise coming from the rug rats in the kitchen; I was doing pretty well until I heard a sharp knock on the door and the kids screaming moments later, "Andy! Andy! Andy!"

I widened my eyes and groaned; perfect timing sweetheart.

I listened as the boys bombarded Andy with stories about soccer games, school, and beating up other little kids and Andrew laughing in return.

"Where's Allison?" I heard him ask quietly.

"In there," Mark replied. I sighed and sat up; John looked over to me with an unreadable expression on his face. When I saw him appear he wasn't alone; Michelle was standing next to him.

"Let's go," He said simply.

I furrowed my eyebrows, "Where?"

He folded his arms over his chest, "School."

I widened my eyes, "No way am I going today."

Michelle folded her arms crossly, "After what you did to Brian last night I think the least you can do is get your asses up for school to go say sorry to him."

Andy nodded in agreement, "Besides, we need to talk."

I rolled my eyes and looked at John who had a very pissed off look on his face; it's too bad the goofy knots in his hair made him look more silly than dangerous. "I think that's the most I've heard you say in days," I muttered.

Andy shook his head, "Don't play games…now is not the time Allison. Get up and let's go…both of you."

John grunted, "Fuck that."

Andy raised an eyebrow, "I could kick the shit outta you and drag your sorry ass there if you like."

Bender grunted, "Whatever Sporto…you couldn't kick the shit out of a wet paper bag."

Andrew rolled his eyes, "Don't test me John…the way you look my granny could probably lay you out."

He grunted and sat up; I followed suit and we both began tying up our shoes. I stood up and grabbed my bag and we both looked at them intently, "Satisfied?"

Andy shrugged and walked out the door, Michelle in turn just laughed, "Nice lid John." As we walked out the door Bender hesitated with a confused look on his face; he reached his hands to his hair and scowled,

"For fuck's sakes!"

XXXXXXXXXXXXX

The ride to the school was silent for the most part; Andy and Michelle had sat up front leaving me and Bender – along with our head aches – in the back seat. It was pretty gloomy outside and the only sound in the car was The Clash's 'Should I Stay or Should I Go?' what a freakin' convenient song.

When we finally pulled into the parking lot Andy glanced at Michelle, "Go find Brian…I'll meet up with you in a few minutes."

She nodded blankly and undid her seat belt and exited the car; Bender in turn jumped outta the vehicle and went to stand with a group of friends a few parking spaces down. Andy looked at me through the rear view mirror and sighed, "Can I talk to you?"

I rolled my eyes and exited the car to climb into the front seat; I look like crap and I feel like crap and now I get a freakin' lecture…this is perfect.

I settled into the seat and stared out into the parking lot. I knew Andy's eyes were on me but I was in no mood to face him for the argument that was inevitably to come.

"How are you feeling? Are you okay?" He asked me quietly yet tensely.

"Don't beat around the bush, Andrew just get to the point."

He sighed and I looked at him through the corner of my eye; his hands were still gripped on the steering wheel and he looked very tired and sad, "Okay fine, we can do it your way."

I slumped down the seat, "Well then go ahead and say it."

He didn't move at all, just hesitated, "Did I really upset you that much that you had to go out and get smashed…and threaten to fuck off on everyone?"

"Brian really went into details, didn't he?" I replied bitterly…and purposely ignored the question.

Andy's hands fell into his lap and he turned to face me, "Yeah he did; he was pretty upset and worried about you guys. As a matter of fact he called me the second he walked in the door last night…I don't think I ever heard him yell anything bad about you guys until then."

I nodded my head and stared into my lap, "I didn't mean to hurt him."

He sighed, "Don't explain that to me, go and tell him. But I want you to answer my question."

"Why, huh? Why the hell is it so important to you now? For the last fucking week you haven't given two shits about anything I've said or done and now all of a sudden you are up in my face about it! What gives?"

He clenched his jaw, "Look I am sorry if I upset you at all but I never once…not fucking once, stopped caring about what you did. I may have been a selfish asshole about what happened but there is no way that I would EVER let you throw yourself down the drain."

I glared, "Throw myself down the drain, what the hell are you talking about Andrew? It was just one time, it's not like I am a fucking alcoholic!"

Andy cocked an amused brow, "That's all it takes is one time to make it a habit, you know. You don't wanna turn to alcohol when the shit hits the fan you know."

I rolled my eyes, "Thanks but I already have a councilor."

He rolled his eyes right back, "I ain't trying to be anyone's councilor! I just care about you and I don't wanna hear my friends saying they baby sat your drunken ass while you mumbled about how much you hate me."

I looked him dead in the eyes, "I do not hate you Andrew. I would never hate you."

He nodded his head, "Then do me a favor and don't do that again. I'm not mad at you I'm mad at myself; I care about you too much, okay?"

I nodded in return, "Fair enough…but I don't want you doing what you did again."

He nodded his head, "That was tough for me, you know. You have no idea what's been going on since that night."

I blinked, "You know…I would love to know what's happening and I would love to listen to you if you need to talk…its much better than being left in the cold."

He looked at me sadly for a few minutes and then dropped his head so that he was staring into his lap, "It's hard to talk about…I don't know if that night was the best or worst thing I ever did."

I heart beat sped up, "What happened?"

He scratched the back of his head, "An all out war."

I furrowed my eyebrows and shook my head in confusion, "What do you mean?"

He sighed, "Well that night I stayed at your house…I didn't even sleep. I just sat up all night thinking about how things used to be, and what they're like now…and what they will be like. I kept thinking about the way he treated you and how angry it made me; and the way he tries to make my mom choose sides between us. I was just feeling so bitter and angry and confused I just didn't know what the hell to do. I lost sleep over it; hell I'm still losing sleep over the whole thing. When I went home that next afternoon things were okay for awhile…I talked to my mom about everything and I thought I had felt a lot better but at the same time I knew things were only gonna get worse as soon as he got home from work."

I nodded, "So your mom is okay with you then?"

He nodded as well, "Yeah for the most part…she's pretty torn. I thought it was gonna be bad as soon as he got home but it started earlier than that. My brother Ricky has always been his perfect son, ya know? Well he is home from school and he walked in the door and as soon as he saw me the shit hit the fan; he was screaming about me betraying dad and letting him down…man he is like a nineteen year old version of my old man. So we get into this screaming fight and after – I don't know – ten or fifteen minutes he took a swing at me and we ended up fighting each other."

I looked at him sadly and he seemed to be getting more and more upset as he went along; he pounded his fist on the steering wheel and cursed, "Then my dad comes in the door as we're rolling around and he grabs me by the shirt collar and just yanks me off of Rick. The whole time my mom is screaming and crying trying to get everyone to calm down. So Ricky takes a spat at me and I curse at him right back…I guess I must have hit a sore spot or something 'cause he threw a sucker punch at me. When I tried to retaliate…"

"What happened?"

"My dad actually took his side and slapped me in the face; calling me a cheap fighter…saying I never listened to anything he ever taught me about morals. My ma was so upset that she threw him out…told him if he didn't leave she would press charges. My brother was so upset that he left with him."

"Oh my god," I whispered.

He nodded with glistening eyes, "Yeah my little brothers are pretty upset about it. Ryan is old enough to understand how much of a prick is and he has actually kinda taken my side. But Robbie he is only nine and he is pretty pissed off at my mom for kicking him out. I mean its only temporary – I think – but he just…he's just too young. So my mom feels awful but she is trying to hold her ground."

"I'm sorry Andy…I shoulda paid attention to what was goin' on."

He shook his head and looked upwards to hide his wet eyes, "Nah, I'm sorry for acting so distant. I just felt so stupid for you seeing everything, and then taking it out on you…hell I felt like such a coward and I didn't know how to fix it."

I snorted, "Yet it takes me getting sloshed to fix our problems?"

He looked at me seriously, "No it doesn't. If you are drinking 'cause you wanna have a good time and you are with friends…cool. But if you're drowning yourself down a bottle because you are feeling sorry for yourself and you want away from the world…then it's not right. I think you know better than that."

I nodded my head, "I'm sorry."

He smirked, "You already told me that okay…don't repeat yourself."

I smirked, "So what are you gonna do then?"

He raised an eyebrow, "About home or about you?"

I smirked, "Whatever one you think deserves an answer."

He sat back in his seat a little tense still, "Well I don't know what I am gonna do about home…two of my brothers are proud of me, two of them hate me, one doesn't even know what the hell is going on because he is gone…my dad I guess has been calling my mom at strange hours of the night; sometimes drunk. My ma…I just don't know how she is holding up. I guess we will just see what happens; I just don't want it to stay this way up until I leave." I nodded in return; and then he looked at me a little more amused this time, "As for you…you can go say sorry to Brian now; I think he would appreciate that."

I looked at the clock in the dashboard, "I guess we still have around ten minutes until home room starts."

He gave me a small smile, "Well then get that fine ass of yours out of the damn car."

I glared at him and exited the car briskly…pretending to be upset with him. He jogged to catch up and jammed his hands in his pockets, "So what the hell did you guys do last night anyways?"

I opened the door to the school and set out into the hallway, "Well we broke into a pool and went swimming…it was cold as hell and then I puked in the water. John was so grossed out that he puked in the water as soon as I was done so we had to get out."

Andy looked at me trying to act disgusted and then burst out laughing, "You are so weird."

"I have been told."

He laughed and then I looked at him with an even more amused look; so I continued, "And then John sang Meat loaf the whole way home…extremely loud."

Andy widened his eyes in horror, "John…John Bender, sang Meat Loaf?"

I turned the corner towards Brian's locker, "Yeah but he said if I told anyone he knew the words he would kill me." He shoved his hands in his pocket and just bit his lower lip. I approached Brian who was with the other four.

I looked down to my feet and shifted my weight as I stood, "Hey Bry."

He pursed his lips together, "Hey."

I took a deep breath, "I just wanna let you know that I was stupid last night and I was outta line…I'm sorry."

He nodded but didn't flinch otherwise, "Okay…I'm disappointed in you though; I didn't really expect that from you."

I nodded, "Fair enough…I'm not here to beg for your forgiveness because I know what I did was wrong; but I want you to know that I will wait for ya to cool down or whatever, I deserve you being mad at me."

He nodded slowly, "Okay…how are you feeling anyways?"

I shrugged, "Like I got run over by a garbage truck."

He laughed, "Well I guess that is what you get."

I looked down at Bender who was just sitting on the floor rubbing his temples; I turned back to Brian, "Yeah…I guess that's the consequences."

He laughed and a few lockers down Ashley was standing with Jack staring at us with a glare on her face; I cocked an eyebrow and glared back, "Something you find interesting over here?"

She shut her locker door with her books in her arms and she pushed them towards Jack for him to hold instead, "No I'm just ready to barf after listening to your cheesy conversations."

"Well then mind your own damn business."

She cocked a sculpted eyebrow and pushed her hair behind her shoulder, "My pleasure…I'm not too interested in your queer love fest anyways," and with that she stormed away from us. I turned back to the group who had amused grins spread across their faces. Claire looked at me with a small grin, "You two never give up on each other do you?"

I shrugged and smirked, "Just natural for me to be extremely annoyed with her I guess."

Michelle laughed, "I don't blame you."

Bender looked up from the floor, "Great now that we are back to being the damn Brady bunch and we pissed the bitch off…can someone please drive me back home now?"

I raised my eyebrows hopefully at the idea and looked at the rest of the group as the homeroom bell rang; Andy and Michelle glanced at each other and started to walk away. Claire laughed and followed suit, and soon after Brian did as well. I looked back at John with a glare and he stood up, "Well? It's the least you can do after you assholes drag me all the way here!"

Michelle turned around with a wide grin on her face, "Not a chance in hell!"

TBC