I DO NOT OWN THE BREAKFAST CLUB. SHOUTOUT TO POPPY471.

Monday, April 30, 1984. Standish family home. Clarendon Hills, Illinois.

(Claire)

Luke and I spent as much time together alone that we could manage. I loved making love to him. He was tender and exciting at the same time. I felt so treasured and loved. Just as I had been surprised by my specific hungers on prom night, I was surprised at my unending appetite for sex. I was never not in the mood, and Luke was in the mood all the time.

But we had little time for sex, now that final exams were coming up. Then-graduation. I didn't know what would happen after graduation. My parents expected me to attend Loyola University. But it was so expensive, Luke couldn't possibly go there also. I didn't want to be separated from him. Chicago was a big city. Surely Luke could find something that suited him there. But he had never mentioned college. I decided we needed to talk about our future.

Monday afternoon, when mother was out shopping with her church friends and daddy was still at work, I turned to Luke. We were at the dining room table, studying for finals.

"Luke…" I had no idea how to start. "I'd like to talk about something."

He gave me an impish grin. "Does the princess need some up close and personal attention?"

"No. I mean, yes, I always want that. But that's not what I wanted to talk about. This is serious."

His face showed alarm and some other emotion I couldn't pinpoint. He didn't look at all happy.

"What are you going to do after graduation?" I asked. "I mean, get a job, go to school, stay in Clarendon Hills…?"

"I've thought about that, Claire. I know you're going to that la-di-da place in Chicago. I'm not staying in Clarendon Hills. If you are going to be in Chicago, I want to be there too. I want to be with you no matter what."

I felt a small bit of relief, but still great concern for our future. "What will you do in Chicago?"

"My boss told me about a community college with a fine arts program. Or I could work. They have art stores in Chicago too, the one in Shermer Mall isn't the only one in the world."

I wasn't reassured by this flippant remark. I must have looked that way, because he seriously assured me, "I've thought of this a lot, Claire, and somehow, someway, I will stay with you." His gravity deepened as he tentatively asked, "Do you want me to do that? Do you want to be together?"

"Yes! I don't ever want to be without you." I smiled, seeing his face light up with that look he had only for me.

"We'll figure this out, Claire. I promise we will."

With that out of the way, I cheerfully returned to homework.


Saturday, May 12, Shermer High auditorium, Graduation Day.

I was breathless from being hugged by my parents (my mother had thawed and actually shown genuine affection and pride) when I saw Bender skulking off to the side of the group of jubilant graduates. Brian was with him. I tugged Luke away from my father's congratulations and dragged him over to Bender and Brian.

"Bender! Why weren't you at the ceremony?" He was a senior, like myself, Luke, Andy and Allison.

"Oh, that. I failed history and have to go to summer school." He slapped Luke on the back. "Congratulations, weirdo, you made it through. And to you as well, little queenie." He made an exaggerated little bow to each of us. Then Allison was hugging me, Luke and Brian. Andy appeared and joined in the hugging and handshaking and back slapping. Bender accorded Andy a little show of ironic congratulations as well.

"Congratulations, you guys," Brian said to Allison, Luke, Andy and myself. He really meant it, too. You never really could tell when Bender was serious since he was incapable of showing reverence for anything. My parents showed up with a camera and insisted on taking a whole roll of film of us in different poses, our arms around each other, smiling and laughing. They even included Bender.

When the crowd began dispersing, my father ushered my mother, me and Luke to the car, and we headed towards Luigi's for a celebratory graduation meal. The others met us there. The restaurant had to put together three tables to accommodate us all. There were many toasts, much laughter and merriment. My father even toasted Luke, saying, "Here's to our resident artist, may he always paint well."

Towards the end of our meal, Luke made an announcement. "I got into a community college in Chicago, for the fine arts program, and my boss found me a job at a gallery there. I'm on my way to Chicago!" I hugged Luke as tight as I could, being seated. There was applause up and down the table. Andy had gotten his wrestling scholarship to the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Allison earned a spot in the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. She too scored a scholarship. Brian announced he would be attending the All-Illinois science, technology, engineering and mechanics boarding school for his junior and senior years. Even Bender had a future mapped out for himself. After summer school and his belated diploma, he would be working at his Uncle Ernie's auto shop. "He doesn't give a shit about my grades," was Bender's aside to me and Luke. Finally the meal came to an end, we parted ways and my father drove us home. Father retired to his office and mother was having a nap when Luke pulled me into the living room. After giving me a thorough kiss, he sat down with my hand in his.

"Claire, I don't know how much we'll see of each other in Chicago, with you going to school and my study and work schedule, but I want you to know you will always be the most important person in my life. You will always be my top priority." He kissed me again. "I love you, Claire."

"I love you, too, Luke." As I snuggled into his arms, I knew however complicated our lives might become, he would always be there for me, and I for him. In my heart, I knew Luke was the only person I'd ever love. We would build a future together. As I looked ahead, I saw a glowing picture of our love conquering all.

NEXT CHAPTER WILL BE THE LAST. REVIEWS NEEDED AND APPRECIATED.