A/N: Thanks for all the reviews, guys! Yeah, I decided to add a few Rushmore characters; I had that planned from the conception of this story. I hope to have the reviews keep coming in! Here's Chapter 4.

Magnus and Brian sat on the steps by Allison and Bender. Allison winced and made a faintly audible squeak at the Rugby forward-turned Shermer's most aggressive varsity soccer player (or football as he called it, being of Scottish descent). In fall, he was goalie for Shermer Hockey. Magnus sat down beside John Bender and lifted up his hockey mask so it was perpendicular to his face.

"Johnny Bender! How are ya, mate?"

"Fine, Magnus, and to what do I owe your presence?"

"Well, I do recall you owing me money; twenty dollars to be exact. I don't give out packs of Winston's for free."

"Well, look, Buchen. I–"

"Listen, Bender! You pay me now, or you'll be getting to know what a slap shot to the temple feels like!" Magnus Buchen was the only person who could actually intimidate John Bender. He may have cigar burns on his arms, but he could hide those. Buchen had part of his ear missing from a Rugby game; this guy was a magnet for injuries.

Bender just handed him the bill.

"Listen, I'll need a favor."

"What's in it for me?" Buchen was a rather shrewd dealer.

"How about… I get Ally here to paint some nice stitches on your mask?"

"Deal. Now what do you have in mind?" Bender always made peace with Magnus by having him do odd favors.

"Go see Andrew Clarke, and tell him to meet Allison after school. Oh and give a hip check to Mike Dexter for messing with Brian."

"With pleasure!" Magnus cried with joy. He was picked on a lot by the jocks for playing soccer. It was huge in Europe and almost everywhere else, but regarded as a kiddy sport in America. He made up for it by being brutal on the field—bad off. Magnus Buchen also used his hockey equipment to his advantage as well. He picked up his gear and trotted off to fulfill both their whimsy.

Meanwhile, Claire and her group of friends were gabbing away as usual. Claire looked over Brian's handwriting on the small piece of notebook paper. She figured she would go and hang out with him at the arcade. She would prove to herself, Brian, and everyone that she wasn't conceited. Amy Adams grabbed the note and read it.

"Brian?"

"Oh. Yeah." Claire hoped no one would get deeper into it than this.

"Isn't this that geek from homeroom's number?"

"Yes. But he has a name, you know."

Bennie, being second most popular spoke up.

"What do you care? He wants to drag you to the arcade! You could be doing something better!"

"Like shopping!" Heather noted with a smile.

"But, what if Brian's a nice guy?" Claire thought she'd at least try and defend him.

"Are you his girlfriend or something?" Bennie joked as the girls burst into chuckles.

"I mean, I'd rather date John Bender than any of those computer nerds!" Amy continued. Claire had enough of this at this point.

"Just drop it, okay guys?"

"Yeah, you better drop it, and drop that Brian kid, too. He'll be following you around like a lost puppy and you'll totally lose your chance for prom queen."

Claire was relieved as the bell ended lunch period and the students started dispersing. Claire looked around for Brian's number but noted that Amy had placed it in her now empty milk carton, and tossed it into a trash barrel. Claire just sighed and just thought of what she'd have to tell him. Either lie and ditch him, just ignore him, or tell him the truth and let him know how she barely tried to defend him. Last week, he was on the verge of suicide, and she wasn't helping matters. It seemed no option was going to work out. Or she could just use the student directory and retrieve it that way. She was saved!

"Boo!" Allison was standing behind Claire for however long and she jumped.

"Oh, it's just you!" Clare felt relieved but not for long. Allison just glared at her.

"You saw the whole thing, right?"

"Yeah."

"Look—"

Allison just shook her head and walked off without a word.

Claire had to do something.