Brian Had just walked in the door and went to his room. He tossed his backpack on his bed and looked around. There were large bookcases containing various works of fiction and nonfiction books. He saw his poster of the Periodic Table of Elements on the far wall above his desk where he labored most of his time so that he could get into Yale or Harvard or Dartmouth. He also saw above his bed, the Elvis Costello poster, and the enlarged black and white photo or the capture at Iwo Jima. He thought about what just happened a few moments ago. She had kissed him! It was still on the cheek, however. But, how many girls would do that to a guy of his social standing? None, he thought to himself— Except Allison. Her words still were in his head: I won't abandon you. Brian had managed to get his homework done earlier than usual because he didn't walk or take the bus today. He checked the clock on the wall after he finished the last quadratic equation of Mr. Ryan's homework. It was almost 7:30 PM. His phone upstairs rang, and he walked over and answered it.
"Hello?"
"Hi, Brian," said the female voice; he never really had any female callers before Saturday.
"Claire?"
"Yeah, it's me." Brian couldn't believe it she had called! He started to tense up.
"So, you remembered my number?" He knew from Allison what really happened, he just felt like just testing her.
"I got it from the student directory."
"Allison told me that—"
"Yeah, my friends did do that. They seem really aggro about me socializing with someone outside of the cool circle." That made Brian flashback to homeroom this morning, falling on his face.
"So, about us doing something this weekend?"
Claire knew it was coming; she took a deep breath and began.
"Brian, I'm not that into video games."
"I know. I figured maybe as an alternative we might go have pizza?"
"That sounds like fun." Brian smiled to himself having felt he had done it.
"But, I'm going to the mall."
"That's fine. What if I meet you there?"
"No, I mean with my friends."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"What?"
"You said 'no' when I offered to meet you." Claire felt trapped now, she knew she couldn't talk her way out of things with people like Brian or even Allison. They were observers: they saw her group and watched everything, knew what every hidden meaning to the words were. Often times, because they were used to their face to not seem so harsh in people's eyes.
"Bender was right." Claire was taken aback .
"What?"
"Your friends. They control you."
"They do not!"
"You probably have a walk-in closet the size of my room. You don't need to shop at the mall." Claire knew he was right. She could manage without ever buying another thing for the rest of high school.
"Brian, you're a nice guy."
"I'm keeping my promise I made Saturday. I even wrote our group essay, remember?" Claire trouble finding the right words to say.
"Yeah."
"Well, I'm going now. Maybe you'll change your mind. Bye."
"Brian."
The phone just buzzed of the disconnected line. Claire hung up and thought about Brian. He just wanted to be accepted. He wanted friends. She called him back.
"Hello?"
"Brian. Maybe we could have some pizza while you tutor me?"
"Tutor usually means use."
No, nothing like that! I want to learn this stuff."
"What do you need help with?"
"Physics mostly. I don't know how long I'll last in Waverly's class. I could manage a C or a D average but colleges wouldn't go for that."
"Well, ok fine. But, promise me you'll show up."
"I promise. "
"Well, I have another call, so I'll let you go."
"Alright, how's tomorrow after school sound?"
"Fine. See you then."
"See ya."
"Hello?"
"Hey, it's Allison"
Brian smiled to himself
"Hey! I'm glad to hear from you!"
"So, maybe you could come over for a bit?"
"Sure, sounds fun!"
"Should I pick you up?"
"If you want."
"Alright maybe we could go to the arcade?"
"You like video games?" Brian thought about it for a second.
"I'm not your average girl, you know." Allison laughed a bit.
"Yeah. I'll be waiting for you."
"Bye."
"Bye."
Brian took a shower and got changed and waited in the living room for Allison's car.