Show me the light, show me the way
Show that you're listening

Show me that you love me
Show me that you walk with me
Hopefully just above me
Heaven's watching over me

-Show Me, John Legend

Andrew Clark had been having an okay day. When he got to school that morning, he realized he was starting to get used to being Andy Clark, regular guy, instead of Clark: star wrestler. He had never really been granted much alone time, what with living with four other guys at home, and always being surrounded by an entourage of jocks at school.

But now things were different. He could walk through the halls and be with Allison or Claire, or he could walk through the halls and be alone if he wanted. He had less stuff to carry, since he didn't have to bring clothes for the Gym class he was no longer taking, or for wrestling practice after school. He had time to think, more time to study, and time to live his life the way he wanted. It had been hard, and kind of lonely, at first, but now it felt great. A guy could definitely get used to this.

He'd been walking to class, all smiles, thinking this, when he saw a sight that caused him to stop short.

It was none other than his good pal Brian Johnson walking between Annabelle McClain and Caroline Mulford. Brian was cheesing from ear to ear, but also looking quite nervous and trying not to show it.

Andy couldn't believe what he was seeing. He shook his head to clear it, as if his mind was playing tricks on him and if he closed his eyes and opened them again, things would look back to normal.

Nope. There they still were. Brian even smiled at Andy as the three walked past him.

Allison was headed toward Andrew at that moment, and she looked just as confused as he felt. Andy didn't even remember to kiss her cheek in greeting, as he normally did when he saw her.

Instead, he took her hand said, "Hey. Any idea what that is about?"

Allison looked around her nervously as the two of them started walking. She still felt nervous about what would happen to her if people saw her in public with Andy, even though he was no longer a part of the group of jocks that labeled her a freak. She shook her head. "None."

Andy shrugged. "I'm gonna have to ask Claire if she knows anything later."

But he didn't get the chance, as he didn't see her for the rest of the day, which went by in a blur.

Before he knew it, the day was over and he was meeting Allison in the parking lot. They were meeting going to hang out at the mall for a while, where Andrew's older brother Lyle Clark would be meeting them after football practice so that they could shop for Halloween costumes together for Lyle's party. The holiday was still a couple of weeks away, but Lyle and Andrew, with their current financial situation, wanted to go ahead and purchase before the prices went up for the last minute shoppers.

And since Allison was going to be his date, Andrew figured they should go shopping together.

As the two of them walked around the mall, Andrew was reminded of how different they were. Andrew was excited about the party; Allison dreaded being around a lot of people and had only agreed to go because she cared about Andy so much.

When Lyle showed up and they started shopping for costumes, the couple bickered about what approach to take. Andy thought it would be cute if they wore matching couples costumes. Allison thought the gesture was sweet, but in all practicality a little bit cheesy and conformist. So, eventually, Andy decided to go as a pirate, and Allison as a ballerina, ironically. She joked that at least that way, no one would recognize her.

Once they left the mall, Lyle wanted to stop at the record store to look at some music options for the party. Andy and Allison were glad to take him, given that his car (given to him by their mother, as Lyle had always been her favorite) had broken down and he'd gotten a ride to the mall. Besides, Allison never passed up an opportunity to get lost in the world of music.

Freddie was inside sitting on the counter talking to Saidie. While Lyle and Allison looked around, Andy went over to greet them.

"Hey, guys. How's it going?"

"Andrew! What brings you in?" Freddie asked, sounding happy to see him.

Andrew pointed. "My brother's having a Halloween party in a couple of weeks, so he's looking for some music."

That's when he noticed the Ronnie Milsap record in Freddie's hands. One of Andrew's favorite musicians.

Freddie? Bender's friend? Into country music? Andrew found himself shaking his head again. Just when he was starting to think he had life figured out. Maybe he and Freddie weren't so different after all. i mean, if I was able to find common ground with Bender, anything's possible, he thought.

And that was what caused him to blurt out, "Hey, you guys should come. It's the weekend after Halloween."

"Oh, really? Sounds fucking awesome. But we already have plans. There's a party we go to every year at that club where I first met you. It's the whole weekend of Halloween, starting on Halloween night. And, you know, Saidie and Bender are bringing dates this year, so I can't miss it." Freddie said, grinning.

Saidie cleared her throat. "Um, I might be able to come, Andrew."

Freddie turned to her. "You're not going to Salt?"

Saidie lowered her eyes. "Um, no."

"But I thought you were bringing Brian."

"Well, that didn't work out, so I don't really feel like going this year." Saidie snapped.

"What do you mean, it didn't work out?" Freddie asked, which Andrew had just been planning to do.

But before she could answer, Lyle made his way to the counter. "I gotta get back to work." Saidie muttered.

Allison eyes Andrew. "Is something wrong?" she whispered to him. It was one of the things Andrew loved about her. She could always sense people's emotions.

Andy shrugged, eyeing Saidie and exchanging a look with Freddie. "I'm not sure," Andy replied to Allison.

It had suddenly gotten very uncomfortable, so Andrew was glad when Lyle quickly ushered them out of there.

Andy decided to drop Lyle off at home and then go hang out at Allison's for a while. He never liked to have her hanging out at his house for too long, because with five guys living there it was always a mess and smelled like dude.

When they pulled up in front of the house, Lyle hesitated for a bit instead of getting right. He finally looked over at Andy and said, "I want to say something, and I kind of wanted to say it to both of you…."

Andy and Allison exchanged looks of curiosity.

"Andy, I know I may make fun of you, and I haven't been the best big brother, but I just want you to know I'm proud of you. For, you know, standing up to Dad. That took guts. Wanting to live your own life. I envy you for making that happen. That's something that me and Sammy never had the courage to do. We've been letting Dad run our lives, and we both hate it. And I'm sorry that we couldn't stop him from doing the same thing to you. But you've changed things. You set a great example for Mike, and I hope he turns out like you. I guess what I'm trying to say is that I'm really proud of you for being a man where Dad is concerned, and for being a better person, and a better brother to Mike, than I've been to you."

Lyle sighed and turned to Allison. "I don't think it's any coincidence that this all happened after Andy met you. I know this is the first time we met, and I don't know what it is about you, but you've been a really good influence on my brother, so thank you for that."

Both Andy and Allison were blown away. Neither could think of anything to say.

Lyle hopped out of the car, and Andy sat there in shock, and in tears. He was surprised by how much hearing his brother say that had meant to him. Until now, he'd thought Allison was the only person who saw anything good in him; the only person who thought he had anything to offer. But apparently that wasn't true. His brother had always seemed so unemotional; such a meathead. But he loved him, and it made him feel special to know that both of his big brothers had been talking about him and were proud of him. And hearing Lyle say that he was a great example for his little brother Mike, who was in middle school, made him feel like he had a purpose. It made him feel like everything he'd been going through for the past few months was worth it.

He had spent so much time doubting himself, wondering if he was living his life the right way and doing the right thing, and sometimes it felt like no one was in his corner. But he knew now that he wasn't alone. He had Allison, he had the Club, and he had his brothers.

Finally, Andrew wiped his eyes and prepared to pull off and drive Allison home. He looked over at her. She was smiling at him, but he could tell she had been crying, too.