don't you forget about me || John Bender x fem!reader ||

Chapter 16

CAUTION: Mentions about grief/loss of a loved one (the reader's grandmother). It's the reader's monologue time, baby! 

A/N: shout out to everyone who commented that I wrote the cigarette scene wrong in chapter 2.  You're the real ones. Also, if I got any details wrong...um, no, I didn't. What are you talking about?  5-year break who? 

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"Me?" Bender's head snapped towards Brian, "Oh, do I look like the typical delinquent to you?!" His voice comes out sarcastically harsh. Causing you to lift your head up in time to watch Brian duck his head down and keep quiet. Feeling alarmed at how quickly Bender turns towards Brian, you're quick to intervene. Bringing the attention back to you as you let out a loud snort.

Your heart is racing as you give Bender a lazy smile, again playing the part of the chilled musician. "If the shoe fits." You force your body to relax, your fingers feeling stiff from unnecessary clutching your clothes.

Some chuckles are heard from the others as you resume a stare down with Bender. Watching carefully as he appears offended. Or maybe you misread his facial features again, because why would he be offended by that remark? Either way, Bender opens his mouth ready to spit out some sort of sarcastic remark or insult. Probably both, where at the very last second he stops himself.

You furrow your brows as he instead brings a hand to point at you with a surprised expression. As if there is something behind you that he just noticed. "Hang on... the boys bathroom... You're the Idiot who held the cig wrong!" He exclaimed in disbelief.

"What?" it's your turn to look at him in disbelief. Needing a moment to process what he's talking about. A beat of silence fills the room as the others watch in intrigue as you slowly acknowledge that he's referring to that same day you guys met. With him dangling from the boy's bathroom window moments prior to you smashing it, and the cigarette you share in between.

"Yeah! That was you!"

"I know how to hold a cigarette, you idiot!" you cry out in offence. It's not a good habit and not something you plan for the long term. But you at least know how to do it right!

"Yeah, yeah, whatever." Bender waves his hand, not looking at all convinced by you or bothering to let you defend yourself.

As the anger shimmers at being name-called, your mind replays the insult. Paying careful attention to the wording Bender uses. 'That was you!' he sounded surprised, and you're quick to wonder why. You let out a gasp in realisation. "Wait! Did you just recognise me?!"

You watch as Bender gives an iffy shrug, shaking his head in a 'maybe?' dismissal. Not voicing the confirmation but answering all the same to your annoyed surprise.

"What the fuck! You use the same nickname– how did you not recognise me?"

Bender narrows his eyes, looking closest to embarrassed at your whining exclamation. He struggles for words on how to defend himself, his mouth agape as he tries to think of something. Yet the expression and conversation cause the group's chuckles to fill the space. Bender feels a hot flush as he grows irritated by your pointed disbelief stare.

"Are you kidding me?" you hiss out as you look away.

"Well, I didn't think you could be the same dumb idiot!" Bender snaps. His voice is raised in false anger to cover his embarrassment. Especially as Claire could be heard trying to stop her giggles behind her hand. A glance towards the other three would also confirm their amusement in watching the display and putting his carefully created reputation at risk.