I was reviewing episodes and decided to update=) I was happy to see that a few people added my story to their favorites. Thanks=)
I'm actually looking forward to the school day. Getting to work with Clare is going to be…interesting. Maybe I can make her blush some more. I'm most looking forward to getting to really look at those blue eyes of hers. I can't believe she ever hid them behind her glasses.
Clare and I meet up before class to read through her paper. I take a bite of my apple.
"So, what do you think?" What can I say that won't totally burst her bubble?
"Well, the title is centered…" That's really all I can say about it.
"Ms. Dawes is right. I have writer's block."
"So don't hand it in."
"Then what? Say the dog ate my homework?"
"Or you could take off."
"You mean skip?" She's actually considering it…, "It would give me time to write a way better assignment." That's when the bell rings, and we both look up, waiting for her answer.
"Decision time." She smiles. I already know her answer. "Stay or go?"
It's interesting to me how strategically placed the exit is. It's placed right by the door to English, like they want us leave instead of going to class. At least it's an easy escape. I can sense Clare's relief that no one saw us leave.
"So", I say, "Where shall we adventure to?"
"I thought we were working on my assignment."
"We are actually skipping to do homework? This is a first." I don't really mind. At least we aren't stuck in a classroom. "How about we get some coffee first?"
I read through Clare's paper again. "I don't understand how you got an A and I got a C." She really can't let that go.
"It's simple. I'm dating Ms. Dawes." I really thought that would at least make her smile. Instead she makes a face as if her dog died and I'm making jokes about it. "You're a good writer, but anyone could have penned this piece. There's no point of view."
"I wrote about gun control. I say it's good."
"Wow, controversial."
"Well what am I supposed to write about then?"
"Something that pisses you off."
I see a smirk playing on her lips as she answers, "Besides my English partner?"
"Ouch…" I have to admit. It did hurt a little. "If you could change one thing, what would it be?" This question comes up a lot when I'm brainstorming. Her answer surprises me, but I don't let it show.
"My mom and dad. They're not exactly getting along."
That's interesting. I imagined Clare's family to be ideal. She does a good job of hiding an unhappy home life. "So write about it." I would.
"I can't, it's personal."
That is exactly the point Clare Edwards. Being a writer means opening up." You care too much about what people think."
"That is not true," She says, knowingly.
"Then prove it." I say it a little more demanding than I was going for. "Scream, at the top of your lungs." As I say this, I notice all the people walking by. I give her a look that says, "Get on with it."
She sits up, and lets out a weak, "Ahhhh."
I can't help but laugh. "That's the best you could do?" I expect her to go back to complaining about her average grade, when she gets up, smoothes her dress and yells with all of her heart.
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" I smile at the startled passerby's while Clare composes herself. As I sit, humored by Clare's outburst, she says, "Ok, your turn." She's got spunk, I have to admit that.
"Yeah…not my style." I say this as I get up. As we bicker back and forth about it, somehow I end up holding Clare by her wrists, our faces inches apart. I see the red forming in her cheeks. She backs away and sits down on the bench while I stand, wondering what just happened.
All night, I think about how close we were. I can't quite decipher the look on Clare's face when she noticed how tightly I gripped her wrists.
We were in the perfect position for one of those cliché' kisses from the movies. The one where the two people who can't stand each other finally realize that there is a bright spark between them. They can't hold back anymore and finally admit their feelings with a kiss. Of course, this is a completely different situation. I can stand Clare just fine and I can tell that she only pretends to be infuriated by me. And, of course, we didn't kiss.
But I can't help thinking that I wanted to…
