"Thanks again for the ride home, Claire"

"You're welcome again, Shane", I laughed. He started to tell me about his night, something about his mates ditching him. We sat there in Eve's new car (that I had begged her to let me borrow) counting the colours in Shane's dark eyes. We were parked out the front of his parent's house. I never wanted to get out of the car. Talking to Shane always made my day.

My attention was snapped back into focus when Shane said"Oh and I met this amazing girl". My heart sank. Another girl. If only he'd realise that none of these other girls would ever know him the way I do.

He must have read the expression on my face because he then added "I know what you're thinking but this girl different, plus maybe seeing someone else will finally get Monica off my back."

Monica Morrell was the mayor's daughter. Morganville's Barbie. She'd been harassing Shane for ages. If only she'd learn that Shane would never touch a skank like her.

"Do you really think that will work?" I questioned.

"No, but it's worth a try. Night Claire Bear, see ya tomorrow" His voice went into big brother mode"Be careful".

"I will" I promised

He ran to the front porch, keeping his eyes out for any vamps looking for a midnight snack.

I drove back to Eve's place, lost in my thoughts. The problem was Shane only thought of me as a little sister and nothing else.

We'd k known each other ever since I was twelve. I'd skipped 2 grades and had had no friends. No one liked the brainiac. Eve had introduced herself to me and soon enough we were all best friends.

I cautiously run up the steps and bang on Eve's front door. Jason, Eve's brother, answered the door.

"Hey sweet thing, come on in. Eve's in her room. Unless your here to see me of course?" He said with an ugly smirk on his face. I walked in ignoring him completely.

Eve stuck her head out form her door" Oh, hey CB. How was Shane?" She asked while handing her hand out for the keys. I followed her into her room. As soon as the door was shut I blurted out everything, especially about the girl Shane seemed to think was perfect.

"Awww, I'm so sorry Claire Bear"

"S'not your fault", I sighed.

"Your right, its Shanes fault!" Eve snapped.

"It's not his fault either, Eve" I defended him "It's mine, I mean; he has a right to date other girls. It's not like I ever told him how I feel."

"I know but if he was smart he would wake up and realise how great you are"

"I wish" I mumbled"Anyway, I better get home. It's pretty late. Thanks for the talk, Eve", I smiled.

"Anytime CB, come on, I'll give you a ride home".

We got in Eve's car and drove in silence until we reached my house.

When I got inside I went straight to my room. My parents had already gone to bed, which was a relief because I really didn't feel like going into a much too detailed conversation of my mother's day.

I was about to get into my pjs went my phone started buzzing. Shane's name popped up on the screen. A smile formed on my face.

"Hey Shane, what's up?" I asked happily.

"Claire, its Michael"

"Michael? What's wrong?" I asked worried because Michael did not sound good.

"There's been a fire, at Shane's house".

"What?"I shouted.

"Come quickly. He really needs you here".

I hung up. I wasn't going to waste time replying. I rushed down the stairs and grabbed my dad's car keys.

How had this happened? A lot of horrible things happen in Morganville all the time but who would set fire to Shane's house? And why?