rockin' chair. (john bender).

Chapter Two: Locked In

"So... So are you guys like boyfriend-girlfriend?" Bender asked Claire and Andrew. Beth could sense where this was going and decided to stir things up in the library.

"Steady dates?" she added, while Bender smirked. "Lovers?"

"Come on, sporto, level with me.
Did you give her the hot beef injection?" Bender said slowly, making Beth's mouth fall open slightly at the attractiveness of his voice. There was one thing Beth knew: John Bender was undeniably attractive, even to those who disliked him. She had fantasized about him at times but knew he wasn't the type to settle down.

Bender's comment made both Claire and Andrew turn around and scream at the smirking boy.

"Go to hell!"

"Enough!"

Bender just laughed as Beth shook her head with a smile.
Everyone froze for a moment when Vernon shouted from his office to stop talking. Bender silently gasped at Claire, causing her to turn back around.

"What do you say we close that door?" Bender asked, beginning to walk over to the railing near Claire and Andrew's table and sitting on it. "We can't have any kind of party with Vernon checking us out every few seconds."

"Well, you know the door's supposed to stay open," Brian informed him.

"So what?" Bender shrugged.

"So what if you just shut up? There are five other people in here, you know," Andrew reiterated.

"Wow, he can count!" Beth gasped loudly.

"I knew you had to be smart to be a... a wrestler," Bender told Andrew.

"Who the hell are you to judge anybody anyway?" Andrew scoffed, causing Beth to raise an eyebrow at his hypocrisy.

"Really," Claire added, agreeing with Andrew. God, she just had to be a part of everything, Beth thought, rolling her eyes.

"You know, Bender," Andrew started, "you don't even count. If you disappeared forever, it wouldn't make any difference. You might as well not even exist at this school!"

"You know what, Andrew? Fuck you. Who the hell are you to judge anybody?" Beth told him before standing and going to sit next to Bender on the railing. He gave her a small smile, as if to say thanks.

"Well," Bender chimed, "I'll just run right out and join the wrestling team." Claire and Andrew just laughed. "Maybe the prep club too."

"Student council?" Beth added, deciding to help Bender out.

He pointed at Beth, nodding his head in agreement as he spoke. "Student council."

"No, they wouldn't take you," Andrew said.

"I'm hurt," Bender replied sarcastically.

"You know why people like you two knock everything?" Claire asked.

"Oh, this should be stunning,"
Bender replied.

"Please, do tell us," Beth said sarcastically.

"It's because you're afraid," Claire answered.

"Oh God, you rich kids are so smart," Beth replied.

"That's exactly why I'm not heavy into activities," Bender admitted sarcastically.

"You're cowards," Claire announced.

"I'm in a math club," Brian informed, though no one was paying attention to him.

"You're afraid they won't take you, you don't belong, so you have to dump all over it," Claire continued.

"Well... that wouldn't have
anything to do with your activities people being assholes, now would it?" Bender asked.