the latter | andrew clark ✅

six

"Shut up!" Jamie gives the athlete a look, her nose scrunched in disgust. the sound of movement outside the library makes her back into her seat. John moves beside her and places his head down, trying to be an angel in disguise. No one buys it.

The sound of Vernon's footsteps gradually disappears. As soon as it did, John looks up at his sister. He gives her a devilish grin, which she shakes her head no to.

"Don't you fucking dare." Despite her threat, John gives a hearty hoot before hopping over the table, leaving an aggravated sister.

"You know there's not s'posed to be any monkey business!" Brian hollers towards John.

The latter only turns around, mimicking Vernon. "Young man...have you finished your paper?" he questions before turning towards the open door. He looks around the hallway cautiously before grabbing something, twisting and turning it as Brian and Andrew talk.

Their talking ends when a loud bang echoes. John runs back to his seat, the door closed behind him. He throws the piece at Jamie, the girl catching with little resistance. Looking at her hand, she finds out it's a screw.

"Are you fucking kidding, John?!" she snaps, pushing the boy who is now in his seat. He chuckles softly, rolling his eyes.

"Stop being a bitch. He won't know if you hide it."

"You're fucking stupid."

"I agree!" Andrew butts in, Claire nodding her head in agreement.

"I know what I'm doing."

"Bullshit!" Jamie snaps again, giving her brother an annoyed look. John looks at her, taking offense. How could she not trust him?

He's not given an answer, everyone going quiet when Vernon screams, "God damn it!"

"Why is that door closed?" Vernon questions, walking into the library. Cue the awkward tension. "Why is that door closed?!" he repeats louder.

"How're we s'posed to know? We're not s'posed to move, right?" John answers with another question. Vernon turns, looking at Claire for an answer.

"We were just sitting here like we're supposed to." Awkward silence is great.

"I think a screw fell out," John speaks. Jamie glares at him for a moment before looking back at Vernon, who glares at Allison.

"Who?!" The answer he receives is a high squeal before a light thud, Allison's head hitting the table, a shriek leaving her after.

"She doesn't talk, sir."

"Give me that screw," Vernon orders, stomping towards the Benders.

"I don't have it."

"You want me to yank you outta that seat and shake it out of you?" Vern threatens. He turns his head to Jamie. "Or maybe she has it."

"I don't have it. Screws fall out all of the time, the world's an imperfect place," she shrugs.

"Give it to me, Bender."

"Bruh, I don't have the fucking screw. And which one are you talking to?"

"Don't you talk to your vice principal like that."

"You're the principal's secretary."

"That's another Saturday. I recommend you shut your mouth." Vernon walks towards the closed doors without another word, his face looking like he ate one too many tomatoes. John turns his head, looking towards his sister. The duo don't make eye contact as Jamie keeps her sight on Vernon's form, her nose twitching from anger.

Everyone looks at Vern, who's trying to prop the (at least) thirty-pound door with a flimsy chair. He holds it there before letting go of the door, only it to slam in front of his face.

"God damn it!" he exclaims. Light snickers travel across the tables, the teenagers trying to hold it together. Vernon yanks the door open, looking around for a second before calling out, "Andrew Clark! Get up here! Come on, front and center, let's go!" Andrew gives a look of annoyance but complies nonetheless.

"Hey, how come Andrew gets to get up?" John questions. "If he gets up, we'll all get up, it'll be anarchy!" he exclaims. Jamie bites her lip, not finding it entertaining one bit.