Andy sat watching TV when he heard the phone ring. His parents had taken his sister shopping, so he reached over and answered.

"Hello?"

"Hey, Andy. It's Claire."

"Oh, hey what's up?"

"Not much. I just got back from the mall. I saw Brian and Allison." Andy thought back to Monday morning; Brian left lying on the street and Allison yelling at him later for not doing anything about it.

"What were they doing?"

"Oh.. Well I don't know how to say this, but.. I think they're going together." Andy just sat there taken aback. He really liked Allison a lot, or he felt strong enough about her. They had kissed before his dad picked him up that Saturday. He didn't know what to think. He had to fond out what happened.

"Claire, could you talk to her for me?"

"Sure thing. What are friends for?" Andy sighed thinking back to Brian. He needed to try and tell him he was sorry, try and console him.

"Claire. Try and talk to Brian for me, too. I'm not sure if he'd wanna talk to me."

"Alright I'll call you back when I'm done."

"Thanks a lot. Bye."

"Bye." Claire hung up and dialed a new number.

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"Hello?"

"Hey, Allison."

"Hi, Claire." She figured it had something to do with tonight's events. She let her continue.

"Well. It's about Andy."

"Is everything ok?"

"Yeah, it's just that I told him about you and Brian, and well I think he might be upset about it." Allison sighed.

"I think there might be a connection between us."

"What about Andy?"

"Claire, Andy is a great guy. It's just that he's scared. He's too controlled by his dad, his coach, and his sport buddies. Brian isn't afraid to let me know how he feels. I mean, Andy just let Mike Dexter just rip Brian in half. Brian's a wreck inside, but he'll let me know. He's suicidal and nursing some deep wounds. You may let your friends trip him and Andy may let his friend use him as a rag doll for their wrestling moves, but I'm here for him. I won't abandon him."

"I didn't abandon him either!"

"Yet, you never said anything. You let him get tripped, let them throw away his number, and let them trash him day after day. I've already met all his friends. We all played video games. They'll accept me." Claire sighed. She knew she could've said much more.

"While you're at it, tell them about Bender. You've got us. We'll be here even if they aren't." Claire knew it was true. She was getting quite adept at keeping all of her emotions to herself.

"Look, I'm having Max Fischer over for dinner. I'm opening up."

"Max is a gifted soul." Allison had helped do set work for his plays. He really dug her artwork.

"Well, he's helping me with Latin."

"Well maybe you could have Brian over to show him you don't mean anything?"

"Great idea! You could come, too."

"Well, I'm sure this will help you get to know how the other half lives."

"I just hope Brian will forgive me."

"I'm sure he will. He's caring. I'll go call him and let him now."

"I was going to call him and let him know Andy wants to make peace."

"I'm glad. Let me know how everything turns out."

"Alright, will do."

"Bye."

"See ya."

Claire hung up and got to calling Brian. She waited for someone to pick up.