rockin' chair. (john bender).

Chapter Five: High Stakes and Higher Jinks

As Beth and Bender walked to his locker, they were met with a chorus of complaints from the four people who had decided to join them—well, three, since Allison still hadn't said a word.

Andrew and Brian were quietly arguing about something the entire way to John's infamous locker. When they finally reached the locker—a veritable death trap—Claire did not look amused at the sight of the guillotine that came crashing down once John opened it.

"You're such a slob," Andrew insulted as John retrieved a brown paper bag.

"My maid's on vacation," John replied, unwrapping the bag as they all waited.

"Drugs," Brian declared.

"Screw that, Bender. Put it back," Andrew commanded. John ignored him, instead tucking the bag into his pocket and signaling Beth to follow him as he started to walk away.

"Drugs," Brian repeated. "The boy has marijuana."

They all soon followed, one by one.

"We'll cross through the lab," John announced as they were walking back to the library. "And then we'll double back."

"You better be right. If Vernon cuts us off, it's your fault, asshole," Andrew added as they took a left.

**AS THE group of six reached a corridor, they spotted Vernon and began running in the opposite direction to avoid him. Beth felt as if they had run around the entire school just to steer clear of him.**

"Wait, hold it! We have to go through the cafeteria," John pointed.

"No, the activities hall," Andrew protested.

"No, you don't know what you're talking about," John argued.

"You don't know what you're talking about," Andrew shot back as Allison made a strange noise.

"Andrew, he's right. We have to go through the cafeteria," Beth said, trying to persuade the jock.

"We're done listening to both of you; we're going this way. You can go where you want, mullet head," Andrew hissed.

"Remind me to ask him where he comes up with those insults. I need to take notes," Beth said to John as Andrew, Brian, and Claire ran to the activities hall. John shook his head playfully as Allison tried to get the two to follow her. They eventually did and caught up with the others.

The group made their way to the activities hall, only to find it locked.

"Shit," Andrew cursed.

"Great idea, jagoff," John sarcastically praised.

"Fuck you," Andrew snapped.

"Fuck you," Claire shot back. "Why didn't you listen to John?"

"We're dead," Brian commented.

"No," John admitted. "Just me."

"Huh?" Beth asked loudly.

"Get back to the library. Keep your unit on it," John instructed Brian as he handed him the paper bag.

"John, what are you doing?" Beth questioned.

"You know the way back," he smirked at her before running off, singing loudly.

"Right, let's go," Beth said, shaking her head and laughing a little because of John.

**EVERYONE WAS back in their seats by the time John and Vernon entered the library.**

"Get your stuff. Let's go," Vernon ordered as John walked over to his and Beth's table very slowly. "Mr. Wiseguy took it upon himself to go to the gymnasium. I'm sorry to inform you, you're going to be without his services for the rest of the day."