four eyes | claire standish ✅

ten

" That's very clever sir, but what if there's a fire? I think violating fire codes and endangering the lives of children would be unwise at this juncture in your career, sir," Bender states, his words dripping with sarcasm.

A moment passes before Vern barks, "Alright, what are you doing with this? Get this outta here for God's sake! What's the matter with you? Come on!"

" T-The school comes with fire exits at either end of the library, John," Angel tells him.

" Angel, please shush for a couple minutes," Allison tells the girl. She deflates slightly, but nods slowly, forcing her sight to Vernon.

" Get back to your seat!" Andrew follows orders, sitting beside Claire. " I expected a little more from a varsity letterman!" He turns to John. " You're not fooling anybody, Bender! The next screw that falls out is gonna be you!"

It seemed like Vern had gotten the last laugh, but when does John ever back down from a fight? " Eat my shorts..." he mumbles.

" What was that?" Vernon questions, taking steps towards the latter.

" Eat. My. Shorts." The look John gives would make anyone melt in their seats.

"You just bought one more right there!" Vern barks.

"Oh Christ..."

"You just bought one more right there!"

"Well, I'm free the Saturday after that! Beyond that, I'm gonna have to check my calendar!"

"Good! 'Cause it's gonna be filled, we'll keep goin'! You want another one? Say the word, just say the word! Instead of going to prison, you'll come here! Are you through?"

" No."

" I'm doing society a favor!"

" That doesn't make sense." Everyone turns their head in amazement, even Allison does. She never thought Angel had the confidence to speak out loud to Vernon, our any adult like that.

" Excuse me?!"

" Why would you take out all your anger on a teenager when you should be helping them? Aren't you supposed to prepare us for the future? How can you do that when you're ripping us to shred?" Angel wonders, her voice calm. A bit too calm for someone who slammed her head on the table when someone yelled at her.

"I'm giving you five more days of Saturday detention!"

" How does that help me though?"

" Another!"

" That didn't answer my question."

"Another!" Biting her tongue, Angel swallows her pride, turning her head away in defeat. " I got you for two months." He turns to John. " And I got for a month." He turns to Angel. "Both of you, you're mine."

"What can I say? I'm thrilled!" John laughs, it as dry as Nevada itself.

"Oh, I'm sure that's exactly what you want these people to believe. You know something, Bender? You ought to spend a little more time trying to do something with yourself and a little less time trying to impress people. You might be better off." Silence. Totally not uncomfortable. "Alright, that's it! I'm going to be right outside those doors. The next time I hafta come in here...I'm cracking skulls!"

Vern walks off, the door shutting behind him. John still tries to have the last word, yelling, "Fuck you!"