Quick Author's Note

Well, I'm back! I know I haven't done anything on this story since somewhere in...July?...anyway, I'm back to finish it! My computer broke and so I was left stranded and Microsoft Word-less so yeah...well, enjoy!

I came back from the hospital with twelve stitches on the side of my face, a brace on my knee, and Riley walking beside me in the parking lot. She had followed the ambulance to the hospital and waited for me in the lobby. As corny as it sounds, it meant a lot to me that she stayed by my side. Normally, when I went to the hospital on rare occasions, I would be by myself.

Once we reached her little red car, Riley gave me a cute smile and leaned against the hood and stuffed her hands in her jean pockets.

"You know, those bruises make you look tough." She told me.

"Does that mean I didn't look tough before?"

"No, but after today and all you seemed more like a wisecracking, detention-plagued bad boy with a good heart somewhere in that body."

She giggled, and I gave her a grin now that my face was numb enough to move without it hurting. I found myself thinking about how hot she looked in that ACDC t-shirt, but I tried to shake that feeling. I didn't want to end up with another situation like the one with Claire. Sure, Claire and Riley were both different, but I would feel pretty low if Riley became another one of the pictures in my wallet.

"So..," She said, knocking me out of my thoughts. "You want to stop somewhere for some burgers and a drink?"

I looked down at the ground before shaking my head regretfully.

"I'm just gonna walk home. I've got stuff to do and...yeah." I replied as nonchalant as I could possibly be. Riley's face showed slight disappointment, but nothing serious. I hope I hadn't led her on earlier.

"Oh, well, okay."

"So...uh, thanks."

I turned around without looking at her and began to walk towards the freeway. I figured if I just walked away without anything to say, maybe she would just leave too and be on her way. Maybe I wouldn't even see her again.

"John,"

Damn, my plan had been foiled. I looked at her slowly and questioningly, wishing I could just get home without any drama. Wow, this had to be the first time in my whole life that I actually wanted to get home.

"Yeah?" I answered.

Riley stared at me with her head tilted to the side slightly. Her hair fell on her left shoulder and shined in the sunlight. She bit her lip, took a breath, and motioned for me to come to her. To this, I groaned and made my way to her.

I stopped in front of her, staring up at the sky, and asked, "What?"

Suddenly, I realized that she had gotten on her tiptoes and planted her lips on mine. I let her kiss me for another few seconds before pulling away and turning my head. Riley got off her toes and bowed her head embarrassedly.

"That was just for...for earlier."

"Look, I'm not trying to start anything, but I don't want to lead you on." I told her while trying to convince myself as well as her. "You're a nice chick and everything. I just don't want a girlfriend right now."

She gave me a confused look. "Girlfriend? All I was doing was making up for that dare that Brian gave us."

It may not have showed, but my stomach had dropped at her comment. Was I so hooked on Riley that I had myself thinking she wanted to date me? This was not the same John Bender who had come to detention today. Then again, ever since the detention we had dubbed 'The Breakfast Club', I hadn't really been the same. Now I just felt embarrassed.

"Maybe I'll see you at school." She said to lighten the mood. "I need to go."

I nodded and walked away feeling like the biggest asshole in the universe.