DISCLAIMER: I do not own what you see, the credit goes to Alice and Lisi.
A/N: Okay this is a totally random thing that I put together-The Lovely Bones, by Alice Sebold--and The Characters,from the Clique. The Lovely Bones is one of my favorite stories--and so is the Clique, and sitting here today I just thought -- what if? And thats where the magic began. You may not like the fanfiction--but that's simply what it is, a fanfiction. It's not meant to be perfect and sometimes--they just don't make sense. But here it is...
ONE
My name was Claire Lyons. I was thirteen when I was murdered on December 19th 2003. I guess you could say no one expected someone to be murdered in my neighborhood, one of the richest in Westchester. Although I was never what anyone would consider rich--I did look it I guess. With my pale blue eyes and blonde hair. I was often told I "had the face of a model". I guess the only thing that gave away that I wasn't extremely rich to people were my off-season Gap clothes, my various pairs of Ked's and my crooked bangs. But I was just happy the way I was and I didn't want to change for anyone.
You may be wondering this: If she wasn't rich, how did she end up living in one of the richest neighborhoods? Let me answer. My father decided he needed a change, and he had a friend, William Block, in Westchester. They were best friends in college, and he figured Westerchester was the change that our family needed. So there we were, living in Mr. Block's guesthouse.
I wasn't killed by Mr. Block, by the way. Wiliam was one of the kindest people I had ever met in my short thirteen years on Earth, and he wouldn't hurt a fly. I had begun to consider him my second father. It always made me wonder how him and his wife managed to concieve a selfish brat for a child. Otherwise known as Massie Block. She was the alpha of the school I was attending--OCD, and her clique is called The Pretty Committee.
Don't get me wrong, as Massie and I got to know each other--we became almost like sisters, in that short four months I was still living. But just before I died I was able to keep her in check with me. It's such a shame, I would've enjoyed getting to know her better. After all, I was just accepted into TPC. Just then had my first boyfriend, better known as Cam Fisher. And no, I wasn't killed by my boyfriend. Please, don't assume everyone I mention is a suspect.
My murderer was a man that did yardwork for the Block's. I'll give him this--he was a fantastic gardener, he could always make a flower grow anywhere and they always turned out beautiful. My mother loved everything that he did, as did Mrs. Block. Now that I've had time to think about things--I find it funny that he was able to bring life to flowers, but take life away from innocent people.
On December 19th, it was our last day of school before the Holiday break at OCD. The Block's driver, Issac, had just picked us up from the school and dropped us off at Massie's house, TPC had planned on not only having our weekly sleepover--but having a Christmas exchange, since this would be the last time we would be seeing each other until the New Year.
"Kuh-laire," Massie yelled with a scowl on her pretty face. "What are you doing?"
I lifted my eyebrows, challenging her with a smirk. "Reading, ever heard of it princess?"
I quickly turned the pages to the book I was reading for A.P English, and glanced up at the rest of TPC. Dylan Marvil, had her perfectly manacured hand up to her mouth, stiffling a giggle. While Kristen Gregory, the only one I had ever truely been accepted by, was openly laughing. Massie's super best friend, Alicia Rivera's eyes caught hold of mine and I could tell that if fear of getting bitched at by Massie wasn't in her way, she'd totally be laughing with the rest of them.
"Whatever." Massie said, shoving a piece of her brown hair out of her Amber eyes. "Let's go inside."
Issac opened the door to the Range Rover, as if right on command.
"Thanks." Most of the girls mummbled, as they made their way into the Block's estate out of the harsh winter air.
As soon as we got inside, my cell phone started vibrating in my pocket and I quickly grabbed it out, in hopes that it was my boyfriend, Cam. But it was my brother texting me from his friend's phone--which until then I never found to be weird, since none of his friends actually had cellphones, telling me to come home.
"Um," I started with a slight sigh, preparing myself for atleast a week of having a cold shoulder from Massie, if I left her party. "Todd just texted me, he said I needed to get home? I guess I'll see you guys later."
"Kuh-laire!" Massie exclaimed, looking moreso disapointed than angry. "We just got here."
"I know, and I'm sorry." I said calmly with a pout. "I'll text you later tonight."
"Or you could just show up at her house." Alicia said in a flat tone. Ever since I had arrived here, Alicia has been jealous of me and Massie's friendship. Not that I blame her. But I didn't have time to say anything--I was curious to know why my brother wanted me home.
I slipped my Ked's back on and opened the front door, feeling the winter wind against my skin caused me to chill, but I stepped outside anyways, almost loosing my balance on the icey sidewalk.
I decided to walk a different way to the guesthouse today--since Mr. Block had it remodeled in early September, a month after we arrived, it was pretty far away from the main house--but still close. I continued walking and about half way there I stopped and picked up a pile of snow. Being my first winter in Westchester, this was really the only time I had ever seen snow in person, it facinated me.
"Don't let me startle you." A mans voice came out of the shed, causing me to jump a bit. I don't know why I didn't find it weird that I came face to face with Arnie Wilson, the Blocks gardener, until now after it was to late. "Just getting some tools out of here."
"Mr. Wilson." I said calmly, letting the snow slide out of my hands. I don't know why I didn't walk away then, it was as if I was glued to the ground.
"You're the girl that's living in the guest house," He said, sitting a mug filled with coffee down. "Right?"
"Mhm."
"How is your family liking Westchester?" I didn't think anything of having a bit of small talk with him, I had been asked that question many times over the past few months.
"Just fine." I said, letting a chill go through my body that I realized was not from it being cold outside.
"I have a fire going in here," He said motioning towards the oversized shed, that could've past as an addition to the house. "Want to come warm up?"
"I actually should be getting home," I started, glancing up at him and smiling. "My mother likes me home before dark--and I got a text from my brother, saying I needed to get home."
"It's after dark, Claire." He said.
I wish I would've realized at that moment that I never told him my name, but I guess I just assummed one of the adults had talked about me to him before, and the thought never really crossed my mind. But, unluckily for me Mr. and Mrs. Block--and my parents, had never mentioned my name to him.
"I heard about the what happend to your daughter," He would say to my father a few weeks later. "What a horrible, horrible tragedy. What was your daughters name, again?"
"Claire." My father replied, glancing down at the ground and letting a tear or two fall beneath him.
Mr. Wilson shook his head sadly, "Shame. I hope they get the bastard."
By that time I was in my own heaven, looking down at my loved ones struggling with their feelings--and coping with the sense of loss. "How could he just lie like that?" I would ask my intake counselor, Elizabeth. "And to his face, nonetheless!" She would just simply reply, "The man has no shame." It's a simple as that.
Mr. Wilson said I could stay for a few minutes, but he had to get back to work in no longer than five minutes and sadly, I believed him. So I followed him into the shed--my book in my hands.
"What're you reading?" He asked politely, pulling another mug out and pouring some hot liquid in it for me. "Coffee?"
"To Kill A Mocking Bird." I replied, starting to tense up. "No thank you."
"C'mon, Massie or Todd would have some." He said, shaking the mug in front of my face in a teasing manner.
"Okay." I said grabbing the drink from him and bringing it to my lips.
"I read that book when I was a teenager, which wasn't that long ago." He said with a wink, causing me to feel a little disgusted. I quickly gulped down the rest of the hot drink, not caring if I burn my tongue and made my way towards to door to the shed. "Where do you think you're going?"
"Mr. Wilson, I really have to get home."
"I don't know what makes you think you're leaving." He said, his gaze harsh. "Take off your clothes."
"Excuse me?" I asked, not sure if I heard him correctly. And might I add, I was feeling quite violated.
He never left my face and said calmly. "I want to make sure you're a virgin."
Now, I was just offended and could feel the heat rushing to my face. I stammered, "Of course I am!"
"I want to make sure," He said grabbing my wrist, "Your parents will thank me. They only want good girls. Not easy sleezy girls."
"Mr. Wilson," I started to feel a few tears trickle down my cheek, "Please...let me go."