Clare's POV

As soon as the doors closed my mind began to wander with thoughts of the mysterious stranger I had just encountered. Something about him was so familiar, but I couldn't quite put my finger on it. I began to wonder if this was the person who was going to be my new "neighbor". I squealed in excitement, I had never had guy friends after that night, I just didn't trust them. But something about this stranger was….different, calming almost.

I was so excited, that when I reached the lobby I nearly ran over a woman who was waiting to get into the elevator, I quickly apologized and made my way to the front doors to get into my car and drive to Alli's. As I was driving I barely recognized the street I was on. It was that street. Without warning, tears began to pour from my eyes as the memories came flooding back. No matter how hard I tried to forget them, they always found their way back. I hit the gas, wanting to get off that street as fast as possible, not caring about anything else.

As soon as I was off the street my sobs began to subside. I can't believe that after six years, it would still affect me the same way as if it has just happened yesterday. It was most likely because they had never caught the guy who did it; he wore a condom, which meant no DNA evidence was available for examination, which meant he'd never be caught. And that he would be free to ruin another girls life, just like he had ruined mine. I hated that faceless bastard with every fiber of my being, and I swore to myself that if I were ever to come face to face with him, I'd kill him. He robbed me of my purity, the one thing I was saving for the one guy that I truly fell in love with, now I didn't even have that to give.

After having my little "episode" in my car, I had finally made it to Alli's house. She was the only person, other than my parents of course, that knew about that night, I could tell her anything, and trust that she wouldn't tell a soul unless I told her it was okay.

As I walked up the steps to her house, my thoughts once again wandered to the mysterious stranger from the elevator. He was so beautiful, it hurt. He was almost angelic in a way, the way his eyes gazed into mine so intensely, so profoundly. Just thinking about him make my heart beat faster, and made me feel as if there were butterflies in my stomach. Pretty cliché huh?

My thoughts were interrupted once again when Alli opened the door. She squealed as she pulled me into a tight bear-hug.

"Clare! What a wonderful surprise! I haven't seen you in SO LONG!" squeaked Alli in excitement.

"I missed you too Alli!" I laughed as I pulled out of her tight hug.

"Come in, come in" she said as she motion with her hand for me to enter.

I stepped inside of Alli's house and was quickly pulled to the couch.

"So tell me what's ne- Oh my gosh Clare, what's wrong? Have you been crying?" Asked Alli worriedly

"Maybe…."

"Why, what happened?"

I began to tell her about what had happened in the car, and about how I swore to kill him if he ever crossed my path.

"Clare, you know you don't mean that. I know you hate him for what he did to you, but I know that you would never be capable of stooping down to his level".

Alli was right. I didn't have it in me to kill another human being, regardless of what he did to me.

"You're right Alli, I don't know what I was thinking"

"It's okay Clare, you were upset, and it's understandable"

"So, have any good news?" Asked Alli curiously

"Actually I do" as I said this I began to blush wildly and smile like a love sick idiot, which made no sense whatsoever considering I had only ever seen this guy once.

"Ohhhh! It's about a guy! I can already tell! SPILL!" yelled Alli enthusiastically

I laughed and proceeded to tell her about the encounter in the elevator, and how he stared at me with his gorgeous green eyes, and his smirk. Oh his smirk, that made me melt inside.

"OH MY GOD! You're falling for him; I can already see the love in your eyes!"

"Alli, calm down, I've only seen this guy once in my life and I don't even know his name"

"Well then, get to knowing" said Alli with a wink

I rolled my eyes playfully and laughed. Alli always knew how to get me in a good mood, and stop thinking about him. I checked my watch and told Alli I needed to be heading home, because it was getting late, and after that night I've never stayed out too late.

"Okay, bye Clare! Come visit me again soon! Or better yet, I'll come to your place to see if I can catch a glimpse of your mystery man" said Alli as she playfully wiggled her eyebrows seductively

"We'll see about that, Alli"

I gave her a hug goodbye and got into my car to head home. Maybe this was a sign. Maybe things were starting to finally go right in my life; maybe I can finally put him and my horrible past behind me.

I was so caught up in my thoughts, that I didn't even notice that I was driving down that street, and for once in my life after my rape, I didn't even feel the need to cry . Finally, after six years, I was starting to move on, maybe time does heal everything, I thought.

End of Chapter 4