Disclaimer: I don't own anything. Not the quotes used, nor the song. Enjoy guys.

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Don't Forget About Me

Chapter Eleven: Sunday (aka The REAL Breakfast Club)

"...And these children
that you spit on
as they try to change their worlds
are immune to your consultations.
They're quite aware
of what they're going through..."
David Bowie

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I sighed, as I looked up at the two-storey house that loomed in the distance. Was I really ready to go back there? Was I really ready to return to a world I'd left behind all those years ago? To give up my status, my popularity, my life? Before I had the chance to answer that question truthfully, I felt Henry grab my elbow forcefully as he pulled me towards the house.

"God Henry" I said, wrenching my arm out of his tight grip "Anyone would think you actually like this girl."

Henry shot me a look before adjusting his shirt for the millionth time that morning.

"Henry." I snapped "Calm down. It's just Cassie. The girl we've known forever. Everything will be fine." I said, hoping that Henry would listen, and just give himself a break.

"Maddie" Henry said, stopping in his tracks as we reached the bottom gate "Lets just go home and forget any of this ever happened"

"Henry Hunter, you seriously like this girl." I said, turning to face him. "You're falling head over heels." I said, slightly shocked. "And like I'd actually let you run away from that. Not only would you regret it forever, I'd have to put up with your bitching and moaning and I do not have the time for that." I said, walking behind him and pushing him towards the front door.

"So get your butt in there mister, and woo her!" I said, as I rang the doorbell and poked my tongue out at Henry who pouted back at me.

"Maddie, Henry." Cassie's mum said politely as she opened the door "It's lovely to see you again. Nice to have some normal people arrive this morning, Cassie's already had a very broody young girl, a boy that scared her younger sister and…"

"Thanks Mum" Cassie said sharply as she appeared suddenly at the doorway. "Hi Maddie, Henry, come in. We're all ready and waiting."

"Oh yeah, Maddie couldn't decide on what to wear this morning, that's why we're so late." Henry babbled, as Cassie gave him a 'Yeah okay' look, rolling her eyes then dragging me next to her.

"Guess who is extremely excited about seeing you today?" She practically squealed.

"That would be your mum." I replied as she led Henry and I up the stairs. "She practically invited me to live here."

"I know, she thinks I'm in a funk where I make friends with the 'artsy' types, and she doesn't like them." Cassie laughed "But no, I wasn't referring to her."

"I'm going to pretend that it was though" I replied as I walked into a large living room.

Belle was sitting next to Dalby. Just close enough to signify something, but not too close to raise eyebrows. And Luke was sprawled on the floor, but his eyes met mine as soon as I entered the room, sending shivers down my spine.

"So can we get this show on the road?" Dalby said impatiely, as Belle elbowed him in the side.

"Already whipped I see?" I commented as I sunk into the lounge, and looked at Cassie who was digging for something.

"Patience is a virtue," Lucas said from the floor, as Dalby went to retort, but Belle stuck her hand over the top of his mouth.

"This is why we're all here today." Cassie said mysteriously turning around. "We needed to watch this before we decide anything, about tomorrow, about the rest of the year. About who we are."

"Oh I knew you'd do this." I squealed happily "The Breakfast Club, right?"

"Got it in one." Cassie said, putting in the DVD as everyone started talking at once.

"A movie…?" Belle asked

"Oh no" Henry groaned.

"Shh" I said, as the opening credits came onto the screen.

Saturday, March 24, 1984. Shermer High School, Shermer, Illinois. 60062.

Dear Mr. Vernon... We accept the fact that we had to sacrifice a whole Saturday in detention for whatever it was that we did wrong, what we did was wrong.

But we think you're crazy to make us write this essay telling you who we think we are, what do you care?

You see us as you want to see us... in the simplest terms and the most convenient definitions.

You see us as a brain, an athlete, a basket case, a princess, and a criminal. Correct?

That's the way we saw one another at seven o'clock this morning.

We were brainwashed…

"That's us. Right there" I said loudly, as Cassie paused the movie.

"Uh, we're eighties teen icons?" Belle said, raising an eyebrow in her typical manner.

"No" I said, sitting up and looking around the circle. "We're the cliches. I'm the princess, Ric is the criminal, Henry is the athlete, Luke is the brain, and you two" I continued, looking between Cassie and Belle "You make up the basket case."

Everyone opened their mouths to speak, but I cut them off.

"He says it. 'In the simplest terms and the most convenient definitions.' That's all we are in highschool. That's what we walked into that library yesterday believing." I finished, looking at their stunned faces.

"Okay, can we just watch the movie before she gets even more smarter?" Luke joked, which lightened the mood instantly.

"Fine" I pouted, sitting back into the lounge. "Just don't get annoyed at me for quoting it."

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I have such a deep admiration for guys who roll around on the floor with other guys.

You'd never miss it. You don't have any goals.

Oh, but I do. I want to be just like you. I figure all I need is a lobotomy and some tights.

You wear tights?

No, I do not wear tights. I wear the required uniform.

Tights.

Shut up!

I couldn't help but laugh aloud, which forced Cassie to pause the movie, as everyone turned to look at me.

"Okay Henry" Belle said "I know that bit was funny, but seriously?"

"Sorry," I apologised. Sitting back into the chair.

"That's it?" Cassie asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Oh right. It just reminded of that fight, in the library. When Dalby here got in my face about football being for gay guys." I said, looking between them all.

"And you punched him." Luke laughed.

"It seems like a million years ago" Matilda said wistfully, putting an arm around Cassie and hugging her close.

"It feels like a million years ago too." Belle agreed, as Dalby nodded quietly.

"I thought I'd never admit this, but you have one hell of a punch." Dalby said quietly looking down, as Cassie and Matilda saw 'aww' in unison.

"That is never to be repeated." Dalby threatened us all; much like Matilda had done yesterday.

"Or what? You'll turn into a bad boy and cut class?" Belle mocked as Dalby glared at her "Too late for that hun."

"Did you just call him 'hun' Belle?" Matilda asked, as she and Cassie stifled their giggles.

"Yeah, we're trying out pet names until something sticks. I've already gone through muffin and cupcake this morning." Belle replied sarcastically, which set Matilda and Cassie off into fits of laughter.

"No seriously" Cassie said once they calmed down "Its good that you two found one another."

"And what are we?" I interrupted, motioning between Lucas and myself "Invisible."

"Yep." Cass replied, poking her tongue out at me.

"I feel so insulted." I said, turning to look at Lucas who was nodding in agreement.

"Oh don't be boys." Matilda said "I'm sure eventually we'll find some use for you. And then we'll have a reason for finding you."

"Other than the fact I'm your twin brother" I replied, poking her continuously until she surrendered.

"Fine. I'm glad to have you as my brother." She said, before gently adding "And I'm glad Lucas was there yesterday."

"I'm also that you were there yesterday." Cassie said, "Otherwise I would never been able to abuse you. And tell you that personally" She said attempting to whisper "I do think footballers are kind of…gay."

I shot her a look, but she just giggled at me before continuing "But that's okay, because you're good at football. And you look cute in short shorts." Cassie said, blushing slightly as she looked away from the shocked gazes everyone was now sending her.

"Well don't stop there." I said, smirking at her "Please, I'm a big fan of flattery."

"I think not Hunter." Dalby said "Your ego is big enough as it is."

"Thanks for the compliment." I scoffed at him, as Cassie quickly used the moment to begin the movie again.

I was more than a little disappointed. The dark, annoyed, angry Cassie from yesterday had gone, and in her place was someone who was happy. Someone who giggled along with my sister as they shared secrets, despite the fact that the movie was still running.

What remained was the twelve year old Cassie that had plagued my memory so vividly during the first year at boarding school. The self-assured girl who fought for what she believed in, who giggled like a kid with Matilda. Who wasn't afraid to speak her mind… no matter what was floating around there.

This was the Cassie I knew and loved. The Cassie that would tell me straight to my face, with the same spunk she'd always had, that she thought footballers were gay, but I looked cute, so it was okay. That's the Cassie I wanted in my life. That was the girl I was going to take to the dance with me, the girl who would awkwardly shuffle out of her front door in a stunning dress, and stand timidly until I reassured her over and over that she was simply the most beautiful person in the world.

This was the Cassie I was going to hold in my arms, protecting her from the evils of the world. The Cassie I was going to kiss, over and over.

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All right, what about your family?

Oh mine? It's real easy.

Stupid worthless no good goddamn free loadin' son of a bitch, retarded big mouth know it all asshole jerk!

You forgot ugly lazy and disrespectful

Shut up bitch! Go fix me a turkey pot pie!

What about you dad?

Fuck you.

No, dad, what about you?

Fuck you.

Is that for real?

Wanna come over sometime?

I flinched unconsciously as the harsh words were spoken on the screen, which made Belle turn to look at me, her dark eyes filled with concern.

"You okay?" She murmured gently, taking my hand in hers and giving it a reassuring squeeze.

I nodded a little, before turning to face the screen. I could still feel her eyes on me though, boring holes into my brain, trying to figure me out. I sighed before looking her in the eyes, a move that shocked her. I could tell. Her dark eyes became a little wider, and her forehead creased, and her mouth formed into this perfect little worry frown.

It's a little amazing, a lot freaky, how much you can tell about someone after spending the night with them. Belle didn't want to be alone yesterday, and neither did I. And somehow, we'd just managed to wind up spending the afternoon together. The afternoon had become night before we'd realised, and then it was three in the morning, and we were sitting up in her room talking about the eternal question: Pearl Jam or Nirvana?

I never imagined that I'd be able to speak to someone like that. Especially not a girl. I hated to sound like a cliché, but it was the truth. I always imagined it'd be me against the world. You know, the Aussie battler tale, but now, it seemed as though anything was possible.

I even told Belle that last night. And she hadn't laughed in my face. She sat up from the floor and hugged me. It was as simple as that. Words, they weren't a necessity.

"You're not okay." She said, a little louder, as I sighed, realising that everyone else would now be paying attention to us.

"Not really." I said, hoping the tone of my voice would ward them from asking any more questions.

No such luck.

"Why did you flinch just then?" Belle asked, her eyes meeting mine once more.

"It just felt a little too close to home, that's all." I replied, hoping that they'd now be satisfied and leave me alone.

"With Bender?" Belle continued ruthlessly. Apparently she would not rest until I told her everything. And in telling her, what I really had to do was bite the bullet and tell everyone. Not fun. Not fun at all.

"Yeah." I said, nodding, shifting slightly. "Not that he uses his cigars to give me burn marks, but I can definitely relate." I said rather vaguely, as they all continued to stare at me.

Matilda opened her mouth, but I cut her off before she could say anything. "Its not a big deal. I've dealt with it my entire life. And the last thing I want to do is go into specifics about how my dad comes home most nights so drunk he can hardly walk straight. And I don't want to turn this into a pity party, about how poor Dalby had to grow up like that. I don't want your pity." I finished harshly, turning to look at the TV screen, waiting for Cassie to press play again.

"Well how about our friendship?" Cassie said quietly, as everyone turned back to the movie.

I sighed once more as Belle squeezed my hand again.

Maybe, just maybe, friendship could be on the cards. Only if I didn't screw it up.

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I sighed as I watched his face twist beside me. What Cassie has said, it was like a universal peace offering from everyone. It was like one of those moments where we all slice our palms with a knife then declare ourselves blood brothers, bonded for life, but without the blood pouring from gashes.

It was like we'd actually declared ourselves as friends, which both frightened and exhilarated me. Because I never imagined myself wanting friends like these people. More importantly, I never imagined myself needing friends like them. People who challenged my views on the world, who challenged who I was as a person.

People like that were rare, and yet here, I'd found five of them. All because of a stupid Saturday detention.

Maddie and Cassie were unlike any other people I'd know in my life. Matilda, once you got through all the layers of bullshit and make-up she'd built up to hide the pain and suffering she's dealt with in her life, she was actually a really nice person. Not to mention occasionally witty and somewhat hilarious when it came to ganging up on the boys.

And Cassie? She was more like me than either of us cared to admit. As soon as I'd walked into her house, seeing the look her mother gave me, I knew we shared the same life. Almost. The trophy wife mother, with the tanned, tall, almost too good looking father, and the sibling, older in my case, younger in Cassie's case, who can do not wrong in the eyes of the parents.

Then , in the movie, Allison spoke words that touched my heart.

Its unavoidable. It just happens.

What happens?

When you grow up, your heart dies.

Who cares?

I care.

I let out a strangled sob, which I quickly tired to cover up with a coughing fit. Unfortunately, they'd already shown how people do that in the movie, so all eyes fell on me as Cassie once again paused the movie.

"Uh… it wasn't me?" I said sheepishly, trying to avoid their gaze. But whenever I looked away from one, there was another staring me in the face. It was like they were all ganging up on me. And I felt so crowded. Maybe I didn't want to have to explain myself to them.

"Its okay Belle." Matilda said finally "I felt it too."

"Huh?" I asked, completely confused.

"When you grow up, your heart dies." She repeated quietly, looking down "I don't want my heart to die. Not again."

"And there's nothing as scary as the idea of growing up, and facing the world on your own." Cassie added softly.

"But I've always been alone. And I've never needed people to help me on my way in life. I'm fine on my own." I replied defensively. Somehow, it'd become me against the world once again. Maybe I wasn't cut out to have friends in this life… or the next. Maybe I really was supposed to end up alone, bitter and sad.

"You're the kind of person that pushes people away, aren't you?" Matilda said rather harshly. I nodded, looking down away from her glare.

"Take it from someone who spent the last five years stupidly hanging around people she hated, its better to be alone than with people who bitch about you, but pushing away people who genuinely care about you? That's even worse." She said firmly, sitting back into her seat and pressing play on the remote before anyone could stop her.

I sat stunned for a long time after that. Matilda Hunter had no right to judge me, and judge how I acted when it came to people. Matilda Hunter had no right to judge me… but I'd judged her just as quickly. We'd all judged one another, from the very beginning. But each step that we'd taken together, we'd proven an assumption wrong.

Maybe that's what real friendship was all about. Finding out what's hidden underneath the layers of bull, the layers of make-up… finding out the truth about one another. Figuring out that in the end, we're not so different after all.

I sighed, sitting back into the lounge. This whole friendship thing was too new to me. Maybe by the end of the movie, there'd be some clarity. Or something.

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Today is going so well, I thought to myself from my lounging position, as the character in the movie all sat around in a circle, talking about anything and everything, much like we had done yesterday afternoon.

Sure, there had been a few hiccups, but we were still all existing in the same room… sharing the same breathing space, and no one had called me 'Nerd boy', or something similar to that yet, so everything was pretty peachy from where I was sitting.

And Matilda, well, she'd even smiled at me when she walked in. Not like that was confirmation that we'd be running off into the sunset together, but it was a sign she was at least a little accepting of me. And despite everything, I needed to know that.

I'd spent all last night wondering how exactly she'd gotten under my skin so easily. Never in my life had a girl driven me so insane, in a good way, and in a bad way. I'd never wanted so much to tear someone down, to bring them back to reality, but I'd never wanted so much to get inside their head either.

I looked over at her, wondering if there was some truth hidden behind her smile, behind her looks, behind her body. In my head, I began to write a list of her positive and negative attributes, but then, her head turned, and her eyes met mine. And in them I saw everything. Why I hated her, why I liked her. Why she drove me insane. And why I was addicted to her.

Then they said something in the movie that caught my attention.

You think I don't understand pressure Claire? Well fuck you, fuck you!

"Is it like that for you Luke?" Matilda said, pausing the movie herself this time, and turning to face me. "Is that how I portray myself to you?"

I shook my head, wondering how I'd dig myself out of the hole that the movie had dug for me.

"Up until yesterday, yeah, that's what it was like for me." I said finally, sighing as I looked away. "It's a pain, being smart and paying attention in class."

"Yeah right." Henry muttered under his breath.

"You really have no idea Henry." I glared at him. "You and Maddie came to our school and walked around on the first day as if you owned this place. And you didn't give a damn about anyone who didn't have the right hair colour, or who didn't play football." I snapped at him.

"And then, even below those people, were the brainy kids." I said harshly "Its like we were a subdivision. Even lower than the losers. All because we could answer questions."

I watched as Henry looked away from me, while Matilda's face twisted into a ball of self-loathing and pity.

"But we thought exactly the same thing about you guys too. We thought we were better than you, because we had the brains to get ourselves out of the hell that was Summer Bay High." I continued, looking at Maddie, who had half begun to smile by now.

"You guys are snobs." She remarked happily, clapping her hands together in delight.

"But that was before yesterday happened." I said, looking Matilda straight in the eyes. "And yesterday, it changed my entire view of the high school experience. For the first time, I wasn't just in a transition place before my life started. It was something I thought I could actually enjoy… if I were friends with you guys."

There was a moment of silence, before Belle moved down and pinched my cheek "Aww Lukey, of course high school will be fun with us as your friends." She mocked "But be careful with those two," She continued, gesturing between Ric and Henry "They aren't very nice to their friends." She said, laughing as both Ric and Henry opened their mouths to protest.

"Can we just finish this movie?" Cassie said exasperatedly, snatching the remote of Maddie and pressing play once more.

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I sighed as I watched them walk out of the hallway at the end of the day. Five strangers at the beginning of the day, but at the end, they were friends. And they'd realised that they were all alike, each and every one of them.

There was something symbolic in that. Something that teenagers go through at least once in their lifetime. The realization that they are not alone against the world.

And as I turned to see the same content look on each of my friend's faces, I realised that maybe I wasn't the only one who needed to know this too.

Dear Mr. Vernon, we accept the fact that we had to sacrifice a whole Saturday in detention for whatever it was we did wrong.

But we think you're crazy to make us writethis essay telling you who we think we are.

You see us as you want to see us...

In the simplest terms, in the most convenient definitions.

But what we found out is that each one of us is a brain...

...and an athlete...

...and a basket case...

...a princess...

...and a criminal...

Does that answer your question?

... Sincerely yours, the Breakfast Club.

I sighed in contentment as I watched John Bender throw his fist in the air, as the end credits began rolling across the screen. I smiled to myself, closing my eyes momentarily, completely happy with how things had panned out.

Suddenly, the silence was broken.

"See, we are like them." Maddie said pointedly folding her arms across her chest "I told you guys so."

"Okay Princess" Luke said, raising an eyebrow at her. "Whatever you say."

"Well at least you believe me now." She retorted airily, poking her tongue out at him in a very immature, but truly Matilda fashion.

"So" Belle said, "What happens tomorrow?"

I looked between the now unsure faces, and didn't know what to do. Existing in our own little world, we were fine. Away from all the judgmental eyes of our peers, we were swell.

But under their harsh gaze, under their critical eyes, the fragile bonds of friendship might wither and die.

Someone needed to take charge. Someone needed to make sure that wouldn't happen. And just as I was about to open my mouth with some moving speech about how we shouldn't let the peer pressure get to us, from next to me, Maddie spoke.

"We turn up, and act like we have today. Who cares what they think about us? Honestly, I'm over it all. I mean, when my friends see me talking to you and Belle in the hallway, they'll probably think I've gone nuts, but it doesn't matter. Because they really aren't my friends. You guys are." She said bravely.

"But, if it makes anyone else feel better, like it will me, maybe we should be out the front, and face them together." She said, rather sheepishly, ducking so none of us would see her blush.

Too late.

"Aww" Dalby mocked, "The Ice Queen doesn't want to face the evil crowd without her big body guards. Don't worry girls, I'll protect you."

"Well aren't you just the biggest softie" Belle teased from next to him, before yawning and looking at her watch. "Wow, it's late."

"See, that's what happens when we keep stopping the movie, it takes us hours to get through it." Maddie said in mock serious, before looking at her own watch. "Henry, Mum's expecting us home like, now." She said quickly, standing up and walking towards the hallway.

"So tomorrow" Maddie continued, as everyone followed her down stairs "Eight fifteen, across the road from the school yeah?"

Always the organizer, our Matilda Hunter was.

We all nodded in agreement as we reached the front gate.

"Hey Cass," Maddie said, turning to face me "Today was fun, we really need to do this more often." She said, smiling and pulling me into a huge hug.

"Agreed." Belle said, pulling away from Dalby and joining Maddie and I in an all girl hug, as we broke out into giggles.

"Oh god" I heard from behind me "Here they go again" Henry mumbled.

I smirked as I pulled away from the girls.

"That reminds me Henry Hunter, what about the dance?" I asked, raising my eyebrow at him.

"That, dear Cassie, is something you have to show up at eight fifteen for." He replied, smirking before he grabbed Maddie's hand and pulled her away. She yelled "BYE" out and turned to wave, still giggling in a delirious state of happiness.

"See you tomorrow Cassie Turner." Luke said, giving me a smile and a wave before shoving his hands in his pockets and wandering off down the road.

"Yeah, bye Cass." Belle said, hugging me again before grabbing Dalby's hand. As he turned around, I swore I could hear him singing a few bars of a song I'd heard recently. I watched him put his arm around Belle and pull her close, singing gently "Don't you, forget about me… don't, don't, don't, don't… don't you, forget about me."

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AN: Thanks Kate for proofing, you're a legend. And thanks for the reviews guys, I'm really happy you like the story, even if it is coming to an end. Only one more chapter to go, because I think its just right that I end it there. Put your faith in me, okay? Have I let you down before?