Claire Standish made her way to her usual table in the center of the cafeteria, the one reserved for the popular kids. Though she'd never admit it to anyone, she liked being popular, other girls hated her because they couldn't be her and all the guys wanted to fuck her. Even the male teachers gave her and her kind special treatment.

But popularity came with a price. She could never truly be herself. She couldn't express her doubts and fears because to do so would be social suicide. So like a character in some Greek tragedy, she wore a mask.

"Do you believe what Josie had on today?" her best friend Jessica asked. Unlike her and her friends who wore Ralph Lauren, Guess, and Sergio Valente, Josie had committed the cardinal sin of wearing clothes purchased at Sears, Kmart, or some store like that. "Honestly, I've seen bag ladies with better style."

"Where?" Paul Hargrove asked. Paul was easy-going with beautiful blue eyes and fly-away brown hair. Plus, he had the most amazing dimples.

Jessica rolled her eyes. "Back me up Claire. She did look awful, didn't she?"

"Yeah." Granted Josie did look bad in her neon orange jumper, but why did her friends feel the need to rag on people? And why did she always feel the need to join in?

"What happened to you Saturday night? Stubby's party was awesome."

"My mom said I couldn't go."

"So why didn't you ask your dad?" Jessica said as if it was the most obvious thing in the world and she was a moron for not thinking of it herself.

"I don't know. I guess I was tired after detention."

Jessica gasped. "I forgot you had detention. God that must have been horrible," she said as she brushed her blonde hair out of her face. "I can only imagine the kind of people who get Saturday detention. Total rejects."

"Andrew Clark was there."

"Andrew!"

"Yeah," Paul cut in. "He taped Larry Lester's ass cheeks together. Classic."

"Guys can be so gross," Jessica said then took a bite of her watercress sandwich.

Claire suddenly thought of Bender and smiled. She hadn't seen him all day and honestly, she was glad. He wasn't all bad, but a girl like her didn't end up with a guy like him. She knew that and he knew that, end of story.

"Hello Claire," she heard a soft voice say. She turned to see Brian Johnson standing next to her. All conversation at the table stopped as all eyes turned to stare at them. Brian's pale skin and slouching, lanky frame looked totally out of place among the beautiful people of Shermer High.

"Hi," Claire said, looking away embarrassed. Why is he doing this? Why can't he just play the game, she silently asked.

It didn't take long for Brian to realize what was going on. In no time, he began fidgeting and looking as uncomfortable as Claire felt. "See ya," he said. Just as he turned to leave, he fell spread-eagle on the floor, his tray and the food on it sliding everywhere. Claire's entire table erupted in laughter.

"Sorry dude," Paul said, a spiteful look on his face.

Claire felt paralyzed. She knew she should do something, but ….

Brian got up, gathering as much as he could. "Sorry," he mumbled to Claire then headed toward the garbage cans near the exit.

"Do you believe that guy?" Paul said, shaking his head.

"Why did you do that?" Claire asked quietly.

"Do what?" Paul responded, a smile spreading across his face. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"You didn't have to do that to him."

"Chill Claire," Jessica said giving her a disapproving look. "He's just some dweeb. Why do you care?"

"He's a nice guy, that's all."

"How do you know? You're not hanging out with him, are you? Is this adopt-a-geek week?"

"Never mind," Claire said, standing up. She began clearing away her lunch. "I'll see you guys later. I need to stop by the library."

"Whatever," Jessica said, turning her back to Claire.

Quickly, Claire walked to the garbage cans, threw out a half-eaten Cobb salad, and headed out of the cafeteria.