This chapter is basically just introducing each character's relationship with Clare:) Imogen, Fiona, Jenna, and people like that will more than likely be brought into the mix as well on a later date.
Clare smiled to herself. She kind of enjoyed all of the attention she was getting. Even the infamous Eli had been nervous around her. She began to think of the possibility of making the new look a permanent ordeal, and she was a few steps away from Mrs. Dawes' English room when she ran into a hard chest.
"I'm so sorry, I haven't really been myself today, I guess I wasn't really paying attention to where I was going," Clare rambled. Her blue eyes lifted from the ground and looked straight into another pair of blue eyes. Something dawned on Clare as she stared at the boy in front of her. She could have sworn that she had seen those eyes and that sandy brown hair somewhere before.
"It's all good. The name's Jake, Jake Martin," the boy said sticking out his hand.
"Jake? Jake? Oh my goodness. Jake it is you!" Clare instantly pulled in the confused male for a hug.
"I'm sorry, do I know you?"
"It's Clare Edwards. Remember? I'm pretty sure the last time we saw each other you had thrown a dead frog at me." Clare stated laughing at the old memory of her and Jake at his cabin.
"Those were some pretty good times. You've changed a lot since then Clare-Bear. Last I remember you wore a Catholic school uniform to school every day."
"Hey, people change. I mean look at you. What happened to the arrogant imbecile I remember?"
"I guess he just grew up a little. You look really pretty Clare," Jake said.
"Oh, thanks," Clare blushed, "but I really should be getting to class. Why don't we catch up? Meet me at The Dot at six?"
"I would love to."
"Great see you then Jake," she said turning around. Jake just smiled at the girl walking away. She defiantly wasn't the nerdy little girl he remembered.
"Yeah, see you then Clare," he whispered walking away himself.
Clare skipped into the classroom even more excited. Honestly she had missed Jake. When they were young they were practically best friends, well until Jake had to move away. It had been years since she last saw him, and she admitted to herself that he had become quite the cutie. A moment later K.C. Guthrie walked into the room. Clare had met K.C. on the first day of school, and they slowly became friends, even though she was a dork and he was a cute skater.
"Whoa, Clare? You look different. In a good way, promise." He smiled over at Clare. K.C. wouldn't let anyone know, but he too had a little crush on Clare. He felt like she was the only one who wouldn't judge him if he ever decided to talk about his past. He knew Clare wasn't the cutest, but that didn't really bother him.
"Thanks K.C., Ali made me do it." Clare sighed and game a small smile in his direction.
"Remind me to thank her," he smirked, but before she could reply the bell rang. Everyone took their seats while Mrs. Dawes began to teach. Approximately 10 minutes late Eli walked nonchalantly into the class.
"Well if it isn't mister Goldsworthy, late yet again," Mrs. Dawes pointed out.
"Sorry Dawes, I had places to go and people to see."
"Just take your seat Eli." Truth be told Eli was the only student who could even remotely get away with this kind of thing. He always got A's on everything, and had to be Mrs. Dawes best student, behind Clare of course.
"Yes ma'am." Eli decided that it would be fun to mess with Clare, so he sat in the empty seat behind her. Clare knew what the boy was up to and rolled her eyes. K.C., who sat next to her noticed and chuckled.
"Something funny Guthrie?" Eli questioned.
"Just your face Goldsworthy," remarked K.C. causing Clare to laugh.
"You might not want to get on my bad side." Eli's forest green eyes burned with frustration. That was Clare's favorite thing about Eli. She could stare into his eyes forever and never get bored. They held so much mystery, and she loved it.
"Calm down and get to work," Clare told the guys. Not wanting to get into any trouble with Dawes both boys took it upon themselves to listen to Clare. The rest of the day just flew by for Clare as she went from class to class answering peoples questions on her style change. She was relieved when she arrived at her locker and saw Adam waiting for her like he did every day. They lived pretty close to each other so they decided to keep one another company on the walk home.
"Eli wasn't lying. I am shocked. You look beautiful Clare, not like you didn't before, but, yeah..." Adam stuttered. His cheeks grew a bright red and he turned the other way cursing himself for being so stupid.
"Thanks Adam, that means a lot, especially coming from you," Clare leaned over and kissed his cheek causing them to go an even darker shade of red.
"On another note, do you maybe want to come hang with Eli and I after school? I realize he isn't your favorite person, but I think if you guys took a moment to understand each other you would be great friends."
"Sorry Adam, as fun as that sounds I can't. I'm meeting an old friend at The Dot later."
"Oh, that's cool, maybe some other time then?"
"Of course Adam." He smiled and the two teens began to walk out of school together when they were stopped by the irritating sound of Ali's heels.
"This is where I leave and let you have your girl time. See you later Clare, have fun with your friend," Adam waved and started to leave.
"Will do, have fun with Eli." He didn't seem to hear her, but Clare just shrugged it off.
"Soooo, your "friend"?" Ali asked.
"He's just a boy I used to be friends with. He just moved back here." Clare replied.
"Whatever you say. Now, how many guys were falling all over you?"
"No guys were falling all over me Ali. Just the normal ones even talked to me. "
"Stop being in denial Clare."
"I am not in denial." Clare defended.
"Sure. I've got to go Clarey, have fun on your date, call me later with the details." Ali screamed as she walked toward her older brothers car.
"It's not a date," Clare screamed back. But deep down she wished it was one.
