Bitch, Bender thought as he watched Claire leave the lunchroom. She hadn't noticed him sitting at the back of the cafeteria. And why should she? According to Sporto, he might as well not even exist at this school. Well invisibility had its advantages and from his vantage point, he'd gotten an eyeful.

She'd treated Brian like shit, and though she'd kissed him and given him one of her precious diamond stud earrings, he knew he'd be in for a lot worse. Well bring it on honey, he thought as he stood to follow her.

"Yo Bender, where you going?" his friend Dez asked, mouth full.

"None of your 'f'-ing business," Bender said as he grabbed an apple from his other friend Marty's tray and put it in the pocket of his beat-up leather jacket.

"I was planning to eat that," Marty said, not bothering to look up from the Playboy he had stashed under the table.

Bender shrugged then walked toward the exit. The hallway was deserted except for him, Claire, and a girl rushing to the administration office. He hung back and watched as Claire turned into the library. A few seconds later, he found her standing at the card catalog, a drawer open. Quietly, he walked up to her.

"Hello Claire," he breathed into her ear.

She jumped, knocking over her books which had been perched precariously on the edge of the table. They landed with a loud thud. A few students and the librarian turned to see what the commotion was, but quickly went back to what they were doing.

"John," Claire stammered. Quickly she bent down to retrieve her books. As she rose, she left enough room for two people to stand between them.

"How's it going Claire?" he said, cocking his head. He hoped he sounded dangerous. He knew girls like Claire, though they'd never admit it, liked the bad boy. At least they liked the idea of screwing the bad boy. Typical fantasy, he thought. Hell, he whacked off to dreams of sexing tightly-wounded, goody-goody daddy's girls.

"Fine," she said. Her eyes cut across the room like those of a trapped animal.

"I was thinking," he said, closing the distance between them. "Maybe we could get together after school." He reached out and ran a finger along her arm.

Claire stiffened at his touch as a shiver ran down her spine and a hot flush consumed her body. Her breathing was suddenly more labored, and she began to feel light-headed. "I can't," she said, stepping out of his reach.

"Aw c'mon Claire," Bender said advancing. His heart beat wildly in his chest. As much as he hated to admit it, Claire did something to him.

"Really I can't. I have to go," she said pushing past him and rushing toward the doors.

"Toodles Claire," Bender shouted after her.

"Shhh, young man," the librarian admonished.

He winked at her, turned, and headed to the back of the library where the stacks were. These next few weeks are going to be fun he thought.