Hola! So I am NOT making this a multi- chap story... well... we'll see but for now I just wanted to add this little part. So a two- shot. It might be a little angsty, I know. But The Chairman's Waltz from Memoirs of a Geisha is so amazing and beautiful and sad, and that was what I waas listening to as I wrote this. So look it up on Youtube if you haven't heard it. It's beautiful!

disclaimer: No, I don't own the Clique. If I did I'd be a pretty darn rich thirteen year old girl! Too bad it's not reality.

Claire dabs at her eyes, even though they're dry. They've long run out of tears.

"- she was a great friend to many. She was an advisor, a comforter, and a lover. I know she will always be in my heart, and I pray that I will see her again someday. I pray we will all see her again. But for now, let her rest in our hearts and strengthen our bonds. Let Massie Block's life be a memory we will not soon forget."

The mass of black mumbles in assent, and Claire looks around for the first time since the funeral started. She sees faces she recognizes from her childhood- Massie's parents, Kendra and William. They're clutching eachother, staring at their daughter's casket, tears streaming down their faces. Claire looks away quickly, ashamed and lonely.

Her thoughts stray to Derrick, who she hasn't seen since his wedding three years ago. Back then she was still a happy, promising citizen ready to contribute her talents and skills. Now she's nothing more than a shell filled with empty promises.

She sees someone else she recognizes, though less so. It's Cam, the boy she saw at Derrick's wedding. She catches his eye and he makes his way to her.

"Hi." He's so quiet that at first she almost doesn't hear him. "Are you okay?"

For a moment she can't answer, an unsteady breath racks her chest and the burn of tears tickles her eyes. But then she takes a deep breath and nods slowly, leaning against him. If he's surprised he doesn't show it, and wraps his arm around her comfortingly.

"Come on." She follows him, not even questioning it. For all she knows he could be taking her into the woods to kidnap her. But strangely, she trusts him. Even after she's learned to be wary of people like Derrick who've lied to her, she still trusts this man she's barely seen since college.

He leads her to the garden in the back, stepping onto the cobblestone sidewalk. The cherry blossoms hang over them, pink and inviting. The small stream trickles merrily beside them, and roses are blooming along the path. Massie would have loved it here, Claire observes, and the pang of loss hits her once more. She will never again have her best friend.

"Now tell me," Cam repeats: his voice low and soothing even though they're far from everyone else. "Are you truly okay?"

"I'll miss her." It's not an answer he's looking for, but she's not done. "She was my secret- keeper, and I hers. It'll never be the same."

"I'm sorry."

"Such hollow words sound sincere coming from even the most malevolent of people," she replies, still not looking at him. Her tone is flat, her voice monotone, and he can't tell what she means by her words. "But Massie always knew exactly what to say."

Her voice cracks: and she turns to him with fresh tears brimming. "I'll never get to talk to her again. She won't be a phone call away anymore. She's really gone, and all because of that stupid car."

A single tear slips out, and many more follow. Soon she's sobbing into his chest, and he can do nothing to comfort her but hold her. She's too grief- stricken to think clearly about what she's doing.

Had her mind still been intact and her heart not pierced, she never would have followed him. She never would have revealed her tears to him. She never would have shown her weakness.

But her mind isn't intact, and her heart is pierced and shattered. So she lets him hold her, and lets her mind go blank of logic and reason.

Sad? Bad? Good? Let me know what you think! It's short, I know, but I hope it still serves it's purpose well enough.