This is where the story officially starts. I'm obviously a very big Clare fan, and I hope she gets together/befriends (with) Eli, the new kid from the Boiling Point promos. Might I just say he is HOT! Sorry KC, but I'm so over you, especially after how you treated her in the last episode. Does anyone agree with me that Eli/Clare will be AWESOME? Tell me what you think of them/your predictions for Season 10!

Chapter 1: The Aftermath

"OH MY GOD, you cannot be serious! That…dog really broke up with you?" Alli's high voice rang out. I heard a dramatic 'pop' that I guessed was the sound of my eardrums shattering. I winced and distanced myself from the phone.

"You were always a big squealer." I chuckled dryly. All humor seemed to escape me. My feelings were down for the count. "Well, I have a damn good reason to! How could he do that? You see, I knew right from the start that hick wasn't any good!"

"I know. I should have listened to you."

"Oh well, it's not your fault, I guess. You only wanted to make new friends."

"Which is why I shouldn't try to. I'm hopeless." I could almost hear Alli rolling her eyes on the other end of the phone.

"Don't be so hard on yourself. Not every person is like him. Just give people a chance." I stiffened. Those were the exact words KC used about Jenna. Alli must have known my stony silence confirmed my hurt and immediately apologized, babbling on about how I could really use some ice cream right now. It was almost ironic how Alli seemed to care about the breakup much more than I did. But that was okay, right? If I went to school armed with a heart protected by glass, I'd definitely make it through the day. KC or Jenna couldn't hurt me—their measly efforts wouldn't even touch me.

"You know what, Alli? Tomorrow's the last day of school. Let's just go to the mall. I don't want KC to see the same old Clare again."

"True that! Let me see what I can do. He won't know what hit him when you come back hotter than ever!"

"Are you sure I won't look like a whore?" I stared at the girl in the mirror, her striking unfamiliarity hitting me with its best shot. "I don't even recognize myself." Alli smirked proudly at her new creation.

"That's because your glasses and your hair hid your gorgeous face." I tilted my head to the right, watching the girl in the mirror reflect my every move. My hair was now cut just above my shoulders, and was tousled until every strand framed my face pleasantly. My glasses were gone, and in place were some contacts. At first, I absolutely hated them, but now I realized how effective and convenient they were compared to my dingy old spectacles. My face, initially a little chubby, now appeared much slimmer and my features, somewhat more appealing. I never thought myself as ugly before, but comparing my old self to my new look definitely gave off that impression. No wonder KC dumped me. A self-deprecating thought floated to the top of my mind, taking a tiny stab at my newfound confidence. I shrugged it off, convincing myself that he didn't deserve my self-consciousness.

"But you always looked great, I mean, KC liked you before your makeover. And honestly, you're way prettier than Jenna. Hello, have you seen how much eye shadow she uses? And that god-awful tank she wore which her boobs practically fell out of?" Alli stopped twirling around and walked over to me, giving me one of her famous bear hugs. I hung onto her for dear life before I could trip over my new wedges. She was a lot stronger than she looked. I mean, the girl even managed to push KC with one elbow (and let me tell you, KC is tall. He makes me feel like a woodland creature)! I smiled at her, truly grateful for everything she had done. She really was a great friend, someone who I foolishly mistook Jenna to be.

KC's POV

"What's going on, lover boy?" Jenna's chirpy voice disturbed me from my idleness. My mouth tightened; couldn't she see I wanted to be alone? I didn't sit by myself in the library for nothing! Her lips immediately collided with mine, and I couldn't help but pull away. After everything I went through, I just didn't seem to be in the mood for making out. Especially not after I broke up with my girlfriend. My oh-so-jealous girlfriend who probably had every right to feel angry. My girlfriend who I could have been laughing with while watching "Friends" together. My girlfriend who I shared my first kiss with. And enjoyed every damn moment of it. Both fortunately and unfortunately, Jenna noticed my reluctance and crossed her arms, using an unnecessarily bitchy pose.

"Wait, why are you in the library? You never hang out here!" Oh shit. She made me remember. It was where Clare and I last saw each other. I wanted to tell her but I just couldn't. It'd be so easy to blame her for everything; that seemed like a good way to stay mad at her. I hoped Jenna wouldn't bring her up but she somehow managed to incorporate Clare into every conversation we had, whether it be about her new makeup collection or my basketball achievements. She never once mentioned what happened with Coach. But then again, maybe she just didn't want to remember. I shuddered in disgust recalling when Coach snuck in during our make out. We were getting heated and clothes were itching to get off until he just ruined the moment. And I still hate myself for trusting him. I thought I found a father figure in him; someone who understood me; cared for me. Someone who could replace my real dad who was now stuck in prison because of his stupid drug addiction.

"I-I was…just planning to s-study for the math test." Jenna rolled her eyes at my stuttering and plopped down on the chair next to me.

"I thought I told you not to worry about that. You have Clare, right? She obviously still likes you." I bit my lip. What could she possibly be suggesting? I didn't like what she was implying.

"You know what, you're right. I shouldn't be so hung up on this test. I'm in Gifted. I don't need to worry." It was funny how my words echoed in my head, like I was lying to myself. Shit, who was I kidding? I was freaking scared. After all, if I wanted to stay on the basketball team, I had to keep my grades up. But would I really stoop so low as to cheat off my ex simply for my own benefit? I couldn't deal with this; I still needed to figure things out. And I most certainly couldn't do that if my new girlfriend was planning to make me cheat to stay on the team. Also, her skirt's not helping anything right now. I can see all the way up to her—

"Now, now KC. You won't be getting any of this until you know what to do. " She winked at me seductively. "I don't want my boyfriend to be a reject. You wouldn't want that either, would you?" Sneakily, her small hand crept downwards, aiming for my nether regions. Oh shit. This isn't right, you getting a boner in the library! I mean, anyone could see us! But maybe one little 'job' wouldn't hurt….I've certainly been needing it ever since…ugh. Great. Jenna giggled naughtily. My eyes, which started off closed, now opened and looked down cautiously. To my horror, my hard-on was worse off than I thought. It looks like a freaking' boulder! But that might not be such a bad thing…it shows off my manliness. Oh god I know I'm such a wuss. If only I didn't look at Jenna at the car wash. Then I'd still be with Clare and I wouldn't have to worry about…all this!

My mind swirled with all the possibilities of just what could happen. None of those scenarios helped me regain my lost dignity. Jenna's stilettos were seriously piercing my leg. I shot her an annoyed glance and she backed off nonchalantly. I just couldn't take this anymore.

"Got to go! See ya!" I mumbled before I headed for the cafeteria looking for something (hopefully a rope) to kill myself.